398 



GAME-BJRDS, 



the whole of her plumage, and by the beginning of September the change to the 

 dark bufF-spotted autumn dress is complete, though in some examples, probably 

 birds of the year, a few feathei-s of the back may still be seen in quill as late as 

 December. The male, on the other hand, makes no spring change, not a single 

 feather being renewed between January and the end of June ; but after the 

 breeding-season the entire plumage is replaced by the autumn feathers, which are 

 black, marked, barred, and often edged round the margin with buff. Thus, while 

 at the end of Aufmst the cock bears a considerable resemblance to the female in 



WILLOW-GROUSE IN SUMMER DRESS (J nat. SlZe). 



May, though the buff markings are never so coarse, no sooner is the autumn 

 plumage donned than the dark chestnut winter feathers, with their mottled black 

 bars, begin to appear, the whole change being completed by December. Some of 

 the autumn feathers are, however, often retained on the back, and may be distin- 

 guished from the winter plumage at a glance. The male breeds in this plumage, 

 and very shabby and worn he is by the end of the nesting-season. It will thus 

 be seen that the male and female have two changes in the season, but while 

 those of the latter are, as might be expected, made in spring and autumn, the 

 male changes in autumn and winter. The Rocky Mountain ptarmigan {L. 

 levbCvuTus) is the smallest representative of the genus, and is recognised by its 

 pure white tail. 



