410 



LAGOPUS MUTUS, VAR. RUPESTRIS (LEACH). 

 ROCK PTARMIGAN. 



Specific Character. Bill slender, distance from nasal groove to tip (.35} 

 greater than height at base (.27). In summer the feathers of the back, black,, 

 banded distinctly with yellowish brown and tipped with white. In winter, 

 white, the tail black ; the male with black bar from bill through eye. Size con- 

 siderably less than that of L. albus. 



Length, about 14.50 ; wing, 7.50 ; tail, 4.50. 



Female in summer. Wings (except upper coverts) and legs, white; tail,, 

 (except intermediae) black, narrowly tipped with white. Rest of plumage light 

 ochraceous or buff, some feathers tipped with white, and all with broad transverse 

 bands of black, this colour prevailing on the dorsal region. On the lower surface 

 the buff bars exceed the black ones in width. Wing, 7.20; tarsus, 1.15 ; middle 

 toe, 90 ; bill, .35 by .27. 



Habitat. Arctic America. 



Mr. Macllwraith quotes Mr. Bampton of Sault Ste. Marie for the appearance 

 of this bird in that locality. It is also probable that these birds reach the 

 vicinity of Ottawa and Montreal. 



In its general habits it much resembles the L. albus. All these birds are- 

 feathered to the toe nails with long white hair like feathers and in summer 

 change their plumage to correspond with the surroundings. 



