226 The Ptarmigan Family 



encounters, in which many hard knocks are 

 given, and much pretty plumage marred, until the 

 weaker have been well whipped. 



The question of supremacy is settled about the 

 middle of May, and the victors select their mates 

 and proceed to the building of the carelessly con- 

 structed nest, which is a trifling hollow in the 

 ground, lined with a little grass and a few leaves. 

 The eggs vary in shape and markings, the most 

 common type being a buff ground with irregular, 

 darker freckling and mottling. Very seldom are 

 two alike, and the average number is about nine, 

 although four or five more are not unusual. They 

 are hatched in seventeen or eighteen days. The 

 chicks are very pretty and active, forsaking the 

 nest shortly after leaving the shell. Only one 

 brood is raised in a season ; but if the first lot of 

 eggs be taken, or destroyed, the female will lay 

 again. 



The male ptarmigan differs from his kin, near 

 and remote, by being a constant mate and de- 

 voted father. While the hen is sitting, he hangs 

 about the nest, and will almost give battle in her 

 defence. She, too, is courageous, and not unfre- 

 quently will submit to being touched, or captured, 

 rather than desert her charge. Both parents care 

 for the young, and their devotion is very pretty, 

 as either will take almost any risk in their 

 anxiety for the chicks. The young are hardy. 



