X 



THE PTARMIGAN. 



Tctras lagopus. 

 Lagopus vulgaris. 



fj ERHAPS the most remark- 



able, this interesting 

 bird is also the smallest 

 of the British grouse. It 

 belongs to rather a large 

 sub-family, that of the 

 Tetraonidae, whose dis" 

 tinguishing character- 

 istic is a naked band, 

 frequently of a red co- 

 lour, in the place of an 

 eyebrow. 

 The Ptarmigan may be 

 cited as a forcible ex- 

 ample of the marvel- 

 lous way in which Xature 

 provides for the securitv 

 and protection of her 

 dependents. In the 

 summer the bird's plu- 

 mage is of a grey and 

 mottled appearance, and 

 is closely assimilated to 

 the bleak rocks and 



