REINHAEDT'S PTARMIGAN. 79 



extensive in the northern portions of Laljrador and Ungava, these birds are 

 there very abundant. During- the summer montlis they are quite scarce in the 

 vicinity of Fort Chimo, retiring to the interior and the liills of George River 

 for that season. In the month of May the nuptial season arrives and is con- 

 tinued until about June, when nesting and laying begin. The birds are by 

 this time scattered, each pair now taking possession of a large tract of stunted 

 vegetation, among which they make their nest aufl rear their young. I was 

 never able to procure the eggs of this species. Only young birds a few days 

 old Avere brought to me, and some of larger size. 



"As before stated the mating season begins in May, and during this perioil 

 the male acts in the strangest manner to secure the atfection of his chosen mate. 

 He does not launch high in air and croak like the Willow Ptarmigan, but runs 

 around his prospective bride with tail spread, wings either dragging like those 

 of the common Turkey, or else his head and neck stretched out, and breast in 

 contact with the ground, i)ushing himself in this manner by the feet, which are 

 extended beliind. The male at this time ruffles every feather of his body, 

 twists his neck in various positions, and the supraoi'bital processes are swollen 

 and erect. He utters a most peculiar sound, something like a growling 'kurr- 

 kurr,' and as the passiou of the display increases the bird performs the most 

 astonishing antics, such as leaping in the air without ettbrt of wings, rolling 

 over and over, acting withal as if beside himself with ardor. 



"The males engage in most desperate battles; the engagement lasts for 

 hours, or until one is utterly exhausted, the feathers of head, neck, and breast 

 strewing the ground. A manceuvre is for the pursued bird to lead the other off 

 a great distance and suddenly Hy back to the female, who sits or feeds as 

 unconcerned as it is possible for a bird to do. She acts thoroughly the most 

 heartless coquette, while he is a most passionately devoted lover. He will 

 rather die than forsake her side, and often places himself between the hunter 

 and her, -uttering notes of warning for her to escape, while attention is drawn 

 to him, who is the more conspicuous. 



"When the young are with the parents they rely upon their color to 

 hide themselves among tlie nearly similar vegetation from which they pro- 

 cure their food. I am certain I have walked directly over young birds 

 which were well able to fly. If the pai-ent l)irds are first shot, the entire 

 iuiml)er of young may be secured, as they will not fly until nearly tnidden 

 upon, and then only for a few yards, where they may easily be seen. I 

 have found on two occasions an adult female witli a l)rood of thirteen 

 young. All of the flocks were secured without troul)le. At other times 

 only three or four young would be found with I)oth parents. The young 

 are very tender when first hatched; no amount of most careful attention 

 will induce them to eat, and after only a few hours' captivity they die. 1 

 could never keep them alive above twelve hours. The changeable weather, 

 sudden squalls of snow or rain, must be the death of scores of these deli- 

 cate creatures. Their note is a soft piping 'pe-pe-pe,' uttei'ed several times, 



