194 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
ing ice-fed torrent, and within the sound of the roar of 
avalanche and the thunder of glacier, the little ptarmi- 
gan spends his life, seldom disturbed by enemies. 
In summer he wears a livery of black and clay color, 
which harmonizes so well with the rocks among which 
WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN 
his life is passed that it is most difficult to see him, 
if he wishes to remain unseen and does not move; 
while in winter, as he journeys over the frozen wastes, 
his plumage is as white as the snows on which he 
walks. His must be a contented, care-free life, for he 
has few enemies to fear. The sneaking coyote and 
the stealthy wild cat seldom visit his mountain soli- 
