174 



NEarS AND EGGS OP 



302c TTJBITEII'S PTABMIGAN. Laffopus rupestris atkhensis (Turner.) Geog. 



Dist. — Atka, one of the Aleutian Islands. 



This proves to be anotker well-marked 

 geographical race of L. rupestris. Turner 

 secured specimens May 29 and June 7, 

 upon Atka Island, the extreme western 

 end of the Aleutian chain. According to 

 Turner they were abundant at this place 

 and also on Amchitka and Attn Islands. 

 The nest is built amongst the rank grasses 

 at the bases of the hills and the lowlands 

 near the beach. It is carelessly arranged 

 on the ground with a few dried grass 

 stalks and other trash that may be near. 

 The eggs vary from eleven to seventeen 

 and are darker in color than those of L. 

 rupestris, and slightly smaller than those 

 of L. lagopus. A number of eggs of this 

 bird were secured, but were broken in 

 transportation. So far as I am aware 

 nothing farther is known concerning this 

 302c. Turner's Ptarmigan. bird's e£gs 



302d. TOWNSEND'S PTABMIGAN. Layopus rupestris townsendi Elliott. 

 Geog. Dist. — Kyska and Adak Islands, Aleutian Chain. 



I can find nothing regarding the nidification of this subspecies which, very 

 likely, is identical with that of L. rupestris. 



30a. 1. EVERMANN'S PTABMIGAN. Laffopus evermanni Elliot . Geog. 

 Dist. — ^Attu, one of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. 



Dedicated to Prof. Barton W. Evermann, the distinguished naturalist of the 

 United States Fish Commission. (Cf. Elliott, Auk, XIII, p. 25.) 



303. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. Ltttfopus welcM Brewst. Geog. Dist.— New- 

 foundland. 



A new species, described by the ornithologist, William Brewster, who named it 

 in honor of Mr. George O. Welch. It is an inhabitant of Newfoundland. Mr. Brewster 

 says: (Auk, II, p. 194.) "The colors in the male of this Ptarmigan are confused and 

 blended to such a degree that a detailed description, however carefully drawn, falls 

 to do them justice." According to Mr. Welch these Ptarmigan are numerous in 

 Newfoundland, where they are strictly confined to the bleak interior. Unlike the 

 Willow Ptarmigan of that island, which in winter wander long distances, and fre- 

 quently cross the Gulf of Labrador, the Rock Ptarmigan are very local, and for the 

 most part spend their lives on or near the hills where they were reared. The nest 

 and eggs of this species have not yet, as far as 1 am aware, been described, but more 

 than likely they are similar to L. rupestris. 



304. WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. Laffopus leucurus Swains. Geog. 

 Dist. — Alpine summits of the Rocky Mountains, south to New Mexico, north into 

 British Provinces; west to the higher ranges of Oregon, Washington Territory, and 

 British Columbia. 



