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202 Merriam on the Wing-feathers of the Willow Grouse. [April 



"•Similar to Lagopus alba (Gin.), but distinguished by having 

 the shafts of both primaries and secondaries black, and by having 

 the wing-feathers, even some of the coverts, marked and mottled 

 with blackish. Habitat: Newfoundland."* 



In the discussion which this announcement occasioned. Mr. 

 William Brewster expressed the opinion that the characters 

 pointed out might prove seasonal. To this Dr. Stejneger replied 

 that since the primaries were moulted but once a year their color 

 could not possibly be influenced by season, but must be perma- 

 nent.! I then stated that I could not agree with Dr. Stejneger, for. 

 when in Newfoundland, I had examined several hundred specimens 

 of this Ptarmigan in the flesh, and was fully convinced that change 

 of color of individual feathers did take place, both independent of 

 and coincident with the moult. In this belief I was supported by 

 Mr. D. G. Elliot. 



My views have recently been confirmed in the most gratifying 

 manner. Mr. Napoleon A. Comeau of Godbout, on the north 

 shore of the St. Lawrence near the Gulf, was present at the meet- 

 ing of the Union and was much interested in this discussion. Since 

 his return (in fact, between the 6th and 14th of November, 1S84) 

 he has killed no less than three hundred Willow Grouse at God- 

 bout, and has had the kindness to send me one hundred and fifty 

 of their wings. The locality is a little more than four hundred 

 miles west of Newfoundland, and Ptarmigan generally appear 

 there early in December, a few occasionally remaining till May. 



They sometimes come in enormous numbers, while at other 

 times they are not seen at all for several years. They arrived 

 nearly a month earlier than usual this winter : two were seen 

 November 2, and large flocks appeared on the 7th. The change 

 from summer to winter plumage was already nearly completed. 



The large series of wings sent by Mr. Comeau demonstrates 

 bevond a question that individual feathers do change color. Most 

 of them are already pure white excepting the shafts of the six 

 outer primaries, which, as usual in winter specimens of Lagopus 

 alius, are black. The quantity of black varies greatly in the 

 different wings. In those in which the change is most advanced 

 it is merely a narrow strip of pale sooty-brown extending along 



* This description has since been published in 'The Auk,' Vol. I, No. 4, Oct., 1884, 

 p. 369. 



t Dr. Stejneger has since informed me that he is prepared to admit that change of 

 color in the primaries can take place. 



