54 FEATHERED GAME 



nearly all in fur and feathers, the Arctic fox 

 and snowy owl, though the Indian takes a gen- 

 erous share, generally during the fall migra- 

 tions, when, as they are easily trapped, the 

 Ptarmigan becomes an important item in his 

 diet. Since they dwell in a country full of 

 larger game and because of their distance from 

 sportsmen of shot-gun propensities, they are 

 not much hunted, but those sportsmen who 

 have made shooting trips to Newfoundland 

 have enjoyed rare sport with them and are en- 

 thusiastic in their praise. They claim that the 

 Ptarmigan is equal to any of the grouse family 

 in game qualities and speak highly of its habits 

 before the dog. Its flesh, also, ranks well, that 

 of the young bird being especially delicate. 



When they rise from the ground their wings 

 do not make such a clatter as do those of the 

 ruffed grouse when he starts, — probably be- 

 cause of the soft and fluffy quality of the feath- 

 ers, — but their flight is easy, strong and well 

 sustained. 



Their plumage during the breeding season 

 and summer months is a mixture of white and 

 reddish brown, finely barred with black. Xo 

 two specimens will be found to be marked ex- 



