170 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
far south as latitude 50°; yet great numbers remain 
in the wooded districts of the North as far as latitude 
670 
Mr. E. W. Nelson, whose studies of the fauna of 
the Northwest and whose ethnological work among the 
Eskimos of Alaska are so well known, says that in the 
northern portions of their respective ranges these 
grouse are summer residents—frequenting the ex- 
tensive open country and being most abundant along 
the barren seacoast region of the Bering Sea and 
Arctic coast, “but in autumn, the last of August and 
during September, they unite in great flocks and mi- 
grate south to the sheltered banks of the Kuskoquim 
and Yukon rivers and their numerous tributaries. In 
early spring, as the warmth of the returning sun begins 
to be felt, they troop back to their breeding grounds 
once more. 
“During a large portion of the year these birds form 
one of the most characteristic accompaniments of the 
scenery in the northern portion of Alaska. During the 
winter season these birds extend their range south to 
Sitka and Kadiak.... 
“Toward the end of March, as some bare spots 
commence to show on the tundra, the Eskimos say this 
will bring the ptarmigan from the shelter of the in- 
terior valleys, and their observation proves true. At 
St. Michael these birds commence their love-making 
according to the character of the season—on some 
years by the first of April their loud notes of challenge 
are heard, but the recurrence of cold weather usually 
