THE PTABMIGAN. 



Tetras lagopus. 

 Lagopns vulgar is. 



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 Nature 

 provides for the security 

 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 



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