eei:nhaedt's ptaemigan. 79 



extensive in the northern portions of Labrador and Ungava, these birds are 

 there very abundant. During the summer months they are quite scarce in the 

 , vicinity of Fort Chimo, retiring to the interior and the hills of George River 

 for that season. In the month of May the nuptial season arrives and is con- 

 tinued until about June, when nesting and laying begin. The birds are by 

 this time scattered, each pair now taking possession of a large tract of stunted 

 vegetation, among which they mate their nest and rear their young. I was 

 never able to procure the eggs of tliis species. Only young birds a few days 

 old were brought to me, and some of larger size. 



"As before stated the mating season begins in May, and during this period 

 the ]nale acts in the strangest manner to secure the affection of his chosen mate. 

 He does not launch high in air and croak like the Willow Ptarmigan, but runs 

 around his prospective bride with tail spread, wings either dragging like those 

 of the common Turkey, or else his head and neck stretched out, and breast in 

 contact with the ground, pushing himself in this manner by the feet, which are 

 extended behind. The male at this time ruffles every feather of his body, 

 twists his neck in various positions, and the supraorbital processes are swollen 

 and erect. He utters a most peculiar sound, something like a growling 'kurr- 

 kurr,' and as the passioi: of the display increases the bird performs the most 

 astonishing antics, such as leaping in the air without effort of wings, rolling 

 over and over, acting withal as if beside himself with ardor. 



"The males engage in most desperate battles; the engagement lasts for 

 hom's, or until one is utterly exhausted, the feathers of head, neck, and breast 

 strewing the ground. A manoeuvre is for the pursued bird to lead the other off 

 a great distance and suddenly fly back to the female, who sits or feeds as 

 unconcerned as it is possible for a bird to do. She acts thoroughly the most 

 heartless coquette, while he is a most passionately devoted lover. He will 

 rather die than forsake her side, and often places himself between the hunter 

 and her, uttering notes of warning for her to escape, while attention is drawn 

 to him, who is the more conspicuous. 



"When the young are with the parents they rely upon their color to 

 hide themselves among the nearly similar vegetation from which they pro- 

 cure their food. I am certain I have walked directly over young birds 

 which were well able to fly. If the parent birds are first shot, the entire 

 number of young may be secured, as they will not fly until nearly trodden 

 upon, and then only for a few yards, where they may easily be seen. I 

 have found on two occasions aia adult female with a brood of thirteen 

 young. All of the flocks were secured without trouble. At other times 

 only three or four young would be found with both parents. The young- 

 are very tender when first hatched; no amount of most careful attention 

 will induce them to eat, and after only a few hours' captivity they die. I 

 could never keep them alive above twelve hours. The changeable weather, 

 sudden squalls of snow or rain, must be the death of scores of these deli- 

 cate ci'eatures. Their note is a soft piping 'pe-pe-pe,' uttered several times, 



