32 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA [No. i. 



though here is the chance of two or more having been lost. However, the usual 

 number of tail-feathers in either sex is sixteen. Since the above account was 

 written, the Spruce Grouse from Alaska has been named and described as dis- 

 tinct from both canadensis and labradorius. {Auk, i\pril 1900, pp. 114-115.) Hav- 

 ing examined a considerable amount of material, I feel justified in still maintain- 

 ing my opinions as above. 



Lagopus lagopus (T^inn.j. 

 Willow Ptarmigan. 



This proved to be a common species throughout the lowlands from Cape 

 Blossom up the Kowak Valley. Although sometimes met with at the borders of 

 timber tracts, or even among scattered belts of spruces, their preferred haunts 

 were the open tundras, especially along patches of dwarf willows. In the vicinity 

 of our permanent camp on the Kowak the Willow Ptarmigan remained through- 

 out the whole wanter, but during December, January and February they were 

 much fewer than during the rest of the year. Therefore there must have been a 

 partial midwinter migration. The natives said that the birds went southward to 

 the Selawik Valley at that season. In October and November the ptarn)igan were 

 in large flocks among the willow-beds which border the streams. At this time 

 they were wont to congregate at mid-day on the sunny sides of the willow- 

 thickets along the water courses. As yet that year ('98) there was no snow, and 

 these white birds were very conspicuous wherever they were. This probably 

 accounted for their being so shy at this season. Later when the snow came, they 

 would allow of a much closer approach, but were correspondingly difficult to dis- 

 cover. A day when the sky was overcast with dense haze, obscuring the direct 

 rays of the sun, yet dispensing an intense even light, the ptarmigan were 

 extremely hard to distinguish against the blank whiteness of the landscape. Only 

 some movement of the black bill or eye could betray their presence, and often I 

 have unknowingly approached the birds on the snow within a few yards, until 

 they finally flushed with their startling whirr of wings and hoarse alarm notes. 

 But on a clear day, when the sun shines unobstructedly, even white objects are 

 brought out in relief by their dark shadows. The ptarmigan then are discernible 

 on the snow for several hundred yards. When feeding among the alder and 

 willow bushes they are usually scattered about, and flush, a few at a time- 

 Sometimes a single bird will be seen perched on a bush or even a low spruce 

 tree, awkwardly balancing itself on the swayirg branches. All through the winter 

 as well as in spring and summer, on fine days, the hoarse nasal cackle of the old 

 male birds may be heard, On the iSth of February, a clear calm day, notwith- 

 standing the spirit thermometer registered 51 degrees below zero, the ptarmigars 

 were very noisy, and could be heard on the tundra across the river over a mile 

 distant from our cabin. I put on my snow-shoes and went over after them. I 

 succeeded in shooting three, by following in the direction of their calls. Only two 

 or three were located in a place, and the bird which was cackling was generally 

 discovered on the top of a hummock or snowdrift. The ptarmigan in their thick 

 winter plumage are hard to kill, for the shot often fails entirely to penetrate the 

 heavy coat of feathers. Unless the birds were within very close range, we found 

 it nearly always ineffective to shoct at them if facing us at rest. But if flying or 



