222 The Ptarmigan Family 



haunts usually are after either big game — moose, 

 caribou, bear, or deer — or seeking the brook trout, 

 salmon, and ouananiche at a time when the ptar- 

 migan is not lawful game. Those who are fa- 

 miliar with it probably will agree with the writer's 

 opinion that as a game-bird it does not rank very 

 high. But it is a very interesting species, and 

 not to be despised on the board. Those who 

 only know the white birds, frequently so conspic- 

 uous in the markets of Quebec and Montreal, are 

 not competent to pass an opinion upon the merit 

 of the bird at its best. The flesh of such speci- 

 mens is dark, dry, and, if it possess any pro- 

 nounced flavor, is apt to suggest its diet of the 

 bitter buds of the willow. But a young one, fed 

 on insects and the foliage of certain plants, is an 

 entirely different proposition, the flesh then being 

 light-colored and remarkably good eating. 



It has been said that the bird is interesting, and 

 with excellent reason, for the ptarmigan furnishes 

 a striking illustration of Nature's loving care of 

 her feebler folk. During summer, the barred and 

 mottled plumage admirably blends with the stones, 

 lichened rocks, and sparse herbage of the bird's 

 favorite ranges ; while for winter, man's craftiest 

 art could devise no more efficient protective 

 coloration than the one which would exactly 

 match the surroundings. White upon white is 

 indeed a baffling dress. Ask the deadliest of 



