GROUSE, PTARMIGAN 



(301) Lagopus lagopus lagopus 



{Linn.) (Lat., hare-foot). 



WILLOW PTARMIGAN. Tarsi 

 and toes densely feathered. In win- 

 ter, pure white, with blaclc tail 

 feathers. In summer, mottled with 

 reddish-brown, black and white as 

 figured b)' middle bird. L., 16.00. 



Range — Breeds in northern and 

 winters in southern Canada. (301a) 

 ALLEN'S PTARMIGAN (L. L. 

 411eni), is found in Newfoundland. 



(302) Lagopus rupestris ru= 



pestris (Gmel) 

 ROCK PTARMIGAN. Has a 

 smaller bill than the last and always 

 a black spot in front of the eye. 

 Plumage in summer, grayer and more 

 barred. Found in northern Canada. 



(303) WELCH'S PTARMIGAN (L. 

 welchi), found in Newfoundland. 



tree trunks, that defies any but the best of shots. This 

 suddenness of flight and the celerity with which they put a 

 tree between themselves and their enemies are aU that has 

 enabled them to withstand the annual hunting. 



The cock grouse have favorite drumming logs to which 

 they resort each spring. With tail erect and spread in a 

 semicircle, head thrown back and completely encircled with 

 the black ruff, he proudly struts back and forth. Suddenly 

 he stops, the tail is lowered, he stands erect or leaning 

 slightly forward, and the wings commence to fan the air; 

 first slowly, but with rapidly increasing speed until the air 

 vibrates with a hollow, rumbling, drumming sound. It has 

 been photographically proven that the wings touch neither 

 above the back nor on the sides, but are brought well forward 

 in front of the breast. The object of this performance is 

 twofold: to attract his lady-love to him and to challenge to 

 combat any other cock grouse that might be within his 

 domains. Her numerous, plain buff-colored eggs are laid 

 in a hollow among dead leaves under a log or at the base of a 



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