50 The Bird 
after the breeding season into a special gray or dark 
plumage, harmonizing well with the autumnal shades of 
the grass and lichened rocks. In the late fall a second 
plumage of immaculate white is assumed, affording these 
birds great protection on the snowy wastes where they 
Fie. 33.—Willow Ptarmigan in early spring, with brown feathers beginning to 
replace the white. 1/4 natural size. 
live. In spring a third suit is donned—brown and_parti- 
coloured like the environment, which late in the year is 
still covered with patches of snow here and there. This 
too is the nuptial plumage, and lasts until the gray garb 
completes the cycle of the year’s changes. The wing- 
feathers are white all the year, but when the wings are 
