The H^lllow Ptarmigan 225 



air, and for months the grave problem before 

 every creature is how best to fill its belly ; but 

 unless the questing nose chances upon the hole 

 made by the ptarmigan on entering the snow, 

 and the direct body-scent of the hidden bird, it 

 may despairingly sniff the cold trail of many 

 snow-shoes, and whine and turn away. 



The love-making of the ptarmigan is not unlike 

 that of the Canada grouse, or " spruce-partridge." 

 The males, with their plumage changing from 

 white to the handsome summer dress, strut with 

 all the pomposity of their kind. The red combs 

 over the eyes are swollen and very conspicuous, 

 as the bird struts with head thrown far back, tail 

 raised and spread, and wings trailing. Presently 

 he leaps into the air, raises himself higher and 

 higher with a vigorous flapping, then sails on set 

 wings through a descending spiral, which brings 

 him back to his starting-point. While thus 

 a-wing, he utters a curt, gruff challenge, oft re- 

 peated, a defiance to all rivals. Again he struts, 

 and again goes into the air, frequently to see 

 male after male arise from near-by stations. While 

 so occupied the birds make considerable noise, 

 the bark-like challenge and other calls being 

 heard for some distance. Meanwhile, the females 

 loiter about in the cover, admiring the efforts of 

 the males, and gradually acknowledging their 

 charms. The inevitable battles follow — spirited 



