426 LAGOPUS LEUCUEUS, WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. 



line).— Aiken, Pr. Bost. Soc. xv, 1872, 209 (Snowy Range of Colorado).— CoUES, 

 Key N. A. B. 1-7:2, 236.— B. B. & E., N. A. U. iii, 1S74, 464, pi. 62, f. 6. 



Hah. — Rocky Mountains, from the Arctic Ocean to latitude 37°. Higher mountains 

 of Washington Territory and British Columbia. 



Ptarmigan may be said to be simply Grouse which turn white in 

 winter. They are the only members of this family of birds in which 

 such a remiukable seasonal change of plumage occurs. All the Ptar- 

 migan are Giouse of boreal or alpine distribution, only reaching sea- 

 level in the higher latitudes, elsewhere confined to mountains. There 

 are fl^e or six species of the Northern Hemis])here, three of which in- 

 habit Xorth America. The present species is immediately distinguished 

 from the rest by having the tail white at all seasons, as implied in it« 

 name ; this member, in both our other species, being wholly bfack, and 

 being at least in part black in the species of the Old World. In size, 

 form, and general aspect, the Ptarmigan come nearest the Spruce Par- 

 tridge {Tetrao canaclensis) ; like this species lacking any peculiar feathers 

 on the neck ; their most notable characteristic is the dense feathering 

 of the feet, in adaiJtation to the boreal regions they inhabit. The feath- 

 ers reach quite to the claws, and cause the bird's feet to look something 

 like a ralibit's — a similarity that suggested the technical term Lagopus, 

 or "hare-foot." The same thing occurs in the Snowy Owl, to the same 

 purpose. In winter this Ptarmigan is entirely snow-white ; in summer 

 the plumage is variegated with ochrey and tawu\ , in finely undulated 

 pattern, much of the under parts, however, and wings, remaining white. 

 It shows little or nothing of the rich brown and chocolate colors that 

 the other Ptai-migan display. 



This i.s the only Ptarmigan of regular occurrence in the United States 

 (exclusive of Alaska). Another species, the Willow Ptarmigan {Lago- 

 pus alhus), is occasional in northernmost New England, but in winter 

 only. Amlubon, indeed, gives it from the " Eocky Mountains," but there 

 is nothing to show that he means that portion of the mountains within 

 the Tnited States. The White-tailed Ptarmigan is found on the highest 

 mountains of the main chain, as far south as latitude 37°, and on the 

 peaks of Washington Territory and British Columbia. Little has been 

 recorded of its habits, which, however, are probablj" not materially dif- 

 ferenttrom those of its better-known allies. Mr. Aiken, as above quoted, 

 states that it is said to be common on the Snowy Range of Colorado, 

 and gives a description of the nest, upon a miner's authority, as com- 

 posed of leaves and grass, placed on the ground, among bushes on a 

 side-hill. "Eggs fourteen in number, light bluish-brown, spotted with 

 dark brown." The following description of the egg, furnished by Mr. 

 Allen, who took it on the Coloradan Mountains, above timber line, where 

 he found the bird common, is more precise : "The onl5' egg of this spe- 

 cies I have seen, was an imperfect one presented to me at Montgomery, 

 Colorado Territoiy, by Mr. A. G. Mead, who obtained it a few days be- 

 fore on Mount Lincoln. It is thickly sprinkled with small, bright red- 

 dish-brown spots, on a chocolate-colored ground, and measui es about 2.00 

 inches in length by 1.20 inches in diameter. The White-tailed Ptarmi- 

 gan breeds above timber-line, probably throughout the snow-capped 

 range of the Eocky Mountains, descending into the timbered valleys in 

 winter, when many are killed for food by the miners." 



The following interesting communication was prepared for this work 

 by Mr. Trippe, from his observations in Clear Creek County, Colorado : 



"The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a very abundant bird on the main 

 range, living entirely above timber-line the year round, except during 

 the severest part of winter, when it descends into the timber tor shelter 



