592 



THE WillTlvTAlLlCI) PTARMIGAN. 



The processes of nature are so slow. lio\ve\er. that we shall iiexer li\e to 

 see the cxteniiination of the Ptariiiit;an. unless the oiieratiou is unduly 

 hastened hv the unlaw ful demands made uixm them by huiigry campers. .\1- 

 the likelv to occur upon an\ ri<lt;e of rock or grass-co\-ered slope above timljcr- 

 liiie in the Cascade and ( )lvinpic Mountains, the local range of these birds is 

 much restricted, and iuan\- isolated colonics ha\'e already been destroyed, 

 especiallv those in the \icinit\- of tiiining camps. 



Taken in Rainier .\-i// 



THE CLOUD CAP. 



MT. RAINIER FROM EAST PARADISE RIDO.E. 



IV. L. Dazcson. 



Ptarmigans are usually unsuspicious and contiding to a degree unprece- 

 dented in the case of anv other American liirtl. This is partly owing to the 

 secluded character of their haunts, so that thev ha\e not learned the fear of 

 men: and partly to the instincti\e reliance which they place in their protective 

 coloration. A sitting hen will not leave her nest until she is all but trampled 

 on, and once distiu'bed, she will e\en allow herself to be lifted from the ground 

 without resistance. The cock is usuall\- more wary. Once, while encamped in 



