CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 227 
inhabits the islands lying on the southwest side of Baffin bay. 
(Richardson.) The ptarmigan is common on Ellesmere island. Only 
the hens change colour and become dark in the spring; with the 
exception of a few dark feathers on the crown of their head the 
cocks retain their white winter garb. (E. Bay.) 
3026. Nelson Ptarmigan. 
Lagopus rupestris nelsont STEJN 1884. 
The types of this race were taken by Mr. Nelson, in spring, at 
Unalaska, and Dall collected winter specimens at the same place. 
This ptarmigan is common on the Aleutian islands at least from 
Unalaska eastward, where it frequents the mountain tops and slopes, 
breeding there in June. (Nelson.) A few pairs were seen on barren 
rocky parts of the ‘“‘Portage mountain’’ between the head of the 
Chulitna river and Swan lake, Alaska, and they were seen again 
in the mountains on the Kanatak portage and about Cold bay. With 
the material at hand I have been unable to satisfactorily distinguish 
the rock ptarmigan of the Alaska peninsula from those of Unalaska 
island. (Osgood.) 
302c. Turner Ptarmigan. 
Lagopus rupestris atkhensts (TURNER) NELSON. 1883. 
This ptarmigan is quite plentiful on Atka, Amchitka and Attu 
islands; it frequents the lowlands and hills of the western islands 
of the Aleutian chain. The nest is built amongst the rank grasses 
at the bases of the hills and lowlands near the beach. (Turner.) 
302d. Townsend Ptarmigan. 
Lagopus rupestris townsendt ELLIOT. 1896. 
Kyska and Adak islands, Aleutian chain. The specimens, a 
male and female, upon which this sub-species is founded were taken 
on the 8th June, 1894, on Kyska island, and on the 4th July, 1893, 
on Adak island, by Mr. Townsend. (The Auk, Vol. XIII, pp. 26-29, 
1896.) 
15% 
. 
