250 THROUGH CANADA 



and underpart retaining their whiteness. Ptarmigan 

 are confined to mountain districts. The singular 

 change in plumage takes place during the winter, 

 and as they frequent the highest latitudes, nature 

 bestows upon them her protecting care and clothes 

 them with a coat as white as the snow itself, by 

 which they escape the keen eye of the eagle and the 

 kestrel, as they feed among the Alpine plants and 

 herbs. 



Prairie chicken, Pedicecetes pliasianellus colum- 

 bianus, is the popular title for the Columbian sharp- 

 tailed grouse. It has changed its habitat of recent 

 years from the southern portion of the province east 

 of the Cascade Mountains, but is common in the 

 Vernon locality. There is also a sage grouse, 

 Centrocercus urophasimius ; it is found at the Osoyoos 

 Lake. 



The black-game and capercailzie are importations 

 from Denmark, and were placed in various parts of 

 British Columbia. The latest report says that they 

 are thriving in their new surroundings, and it is 

 anticipated that they will make an important addition 

 to the game birds. 



Pheasants have not multiplied sufficiently to 

 become a general sporting entity. They are to a 

 large extent private property in British Columbia 

 and throughout the Dominion generally. European 

 partridges have also been introduced, and are doing 

 well in some places. I saw several coveys near 



