115 



and New Worlds. Like many other Arctic forms they extend well southward along mount- 

 ain ranges where elevation carries northern conditions to lower latitudes. The Red Grouse 

 of Scotland is an interesting Ptarmigan that has lost its ability to change to white in whiter 

 and retains its summer coloration throughout the year. There are two species in eastern 

 Canada. Owing to the remarkable variability of the species, American Ptarmigan have 

 been split up into a great number of subspecies to be distinguished only by a specialist 

 with abundant material for comparison. Economically the Ptarmigan are of little import- 

 ance except as a source of food to trappers, hunters, and prospectors in the far north. 



301. Willow Ptarmigan. WILLOW GROUSE. FR. LE LAGOPEDE DES SAULES. LA 

 PERDRIX BLANCHE. Lagopus lagopus. L, 15. In winter, all white except the tail which 

 is pure black. In summer, nearly evenly barred all over in black and various shades 

 of brown, ochre, and rusty. Either rust or ochre may predominate. 



Distinctions. In winter the all-white head and absence of black line through eye 

 distinguish this from the Rock Ptarmigan. In summer, its superior size, especially well 

 shown by a comparison of the bills, is the most easily recognized point of identification. 



Distribution. The Arctic, across the continent; migrates south in winter to the frontier 

 of civilization. 



SUBSPECIES. The subspecies occurring over most of Canada is the type form, 

 the Willow Ptarmigan. Another, Allen's Ptarmigan L. I. alleni, occurs in Newfoundland , 

 and another, L. I. ungavus, in the more northern part of Quebec. 



302. Rock Ptarmigan. FR. LE LAGOPEDE DES ROCHERS. Lagopus rupestris. 

 L, 13. In winter, all white except a black tail and line through eye to base of bill. In 

 summer, very similar to preceding species. 



Distinctions. In winter, black eye-line. In summer, smaller size, especially of bill, 

 when compared with Willow Grouse, is diagnostic. 



Distribution. The Arctic, across continent, in winter slightly more northern than 

 the previous species. 



SUBSPECIES. Three subspecies of Rock Ptarmigan are recognized in eastern 

 Canada: Reinhardt's Ptarmigan L. r. reinhardti in the northern extremity of northern 

 Quebec, Welsh's Ptarmigan L. r. welchi in Newfoundland, and the type form, the Arctic 

 Ptarmigan, in the remaining areas. 



Genus Tympanuchus. Grouse. 



305. Prairie Chicken. PRAIRIE HEN. SQUARE-TAIL. PINNATED GROUSE. FR. 

 LA POULE DES PRAIRIES. Tympanuchus americanus. L, 18. A Grouse of the same size 

 as the Ruffed, coloured in shades of brown, light ochre, and white, but without the long 

 fan-shaped tail and with the soft ruff replaced by a few long, straight, stiff feathers pointed 

 downward over the shoulders The barring on the underparts and breast is clear and sharp 

 and is continued across the back and upper parts as well as below. 



Distinctions. The above points easily distinguish this species from the Ruffed 

 Grouse. From the next species, the Sharp-tailed Grouse, it can be as certainly distin- 

 guished by its breast barred instead of covered with V-shaped markings. Other distinc- 

 tions are the long stiff feathers on the sides of the neck and the short, stiff tail not ending in 

 a point when closed. 



SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies of Prairie Chicken are recognized. The form 

 which occurs in Canada is the type race, the Northern Prairie Chicken. 



This is the true Prairie Chicken of the western prairies, though in 

 western Canada the name is popularly and incorrectly given to the next 

 species described. It is included here only because an occasional bird 

 has been taken in the southern parts of Ontario, to which it seems to have 

 spread from the Michigan side of Detroit river where, once common, 

 it is now rare and restricted to a few localities. Within the memory of the 

 present generation in parts of the west it has gradually encroached upon 

 and displaced the next species. 



Economic Status. Too rare in eastern Canada to require much dis- 

 cussion here. In the west where it occurs in numbers it is of considerable 

 economic importance but no damage can be charged against it. 



