23G 
L AGOPUS. PT A R M IG A N . 
Generic Character. 
Rostrum breve, basi plumo- i 
sum, supra convexum, la- j 
teratim compressiusculum, i 
versus apicem aduncum ; j 
mandibula inferiore basi | 
sub Irigonum. 
Nares basales, semiclausas. 
Supercilia nuda glabra. 
Pedes tetradactyli, mutici ; 
tarsi digitique hii’suti. 
Beak short, feathered at tlie 
base, above convex, the 
sides someAvhat compress- 
ed, towards its tip bent 
down ; the under mandible 
slightly triangular at its 
base. 
Nostrils basal and half closed. 
Eyebrows naked and smooth. 
Feet four-toed, spurless ; the 
tarsi and toes hairy. 
Lagopus. Antiquoruniy Rail., Vieil., Leach. 
Tetrao. Linn., Gmel., Lath., Temm., Cm., Nilss. 
Bonasa. Brisson. 
X'hE Ptarmigans form a genus that was well 
known to the ancient ornithologists : it possesses 
the singular character of having the tarsi and toes 
covered with hair-like feathers : the eyebrows are 
naked, smooth, and generally of a pale red hue : 
the tail is either rounded or somewhat square : the 
sides of the toes are serrated and rough : most of 
the species change their plumage in the winter. 
