172 



NESTS AND EG&8 OF 



and as late as June 24th. Others were found on the banks of the Swan River as late 

 as June 27th, containing large embryos. A nest observed July 10th contained ten 

 perfectly fresh eggs, and another set of eggs was examined July 22, the contents of 

 which were slightly developed. The nests made on the ground were mere depres- 

 sions, generally lined with leaves, hay, and a few feathers from the birds themselves. 

 The same nest is often occupied in successive seasons. The largest number of eggs 

 taken by Mr. MacParlane was ten, but the female is said to lay as many as sixteen. 

 A few of this species breed in various parts of Alaska. Mr. Dall took eggs near the 

 mouth of the Yukon in the latter part of June. The eggs have a ground color vary- 

 ing from pale yellowish-buff to deep chestnut-brown, more or less sprinkled, 

 speckled, spotted or marbled with rich brown or black. Average size 1.78x1.25. 



M^. 



-s- '-^ 



301. Willow Ptarmigan, summer plumage (From Brehm). 



301o. ALLEH'S PTARjfllGAN. Laffopns lar;opiis alleni Stejn. Geog. Dist. — 

 Newfoundland. 



According to Dr. Stejneger this newly described subspecies is similar to L. 

 lagopus, but distinguishable by having the shafts of both primaries and secondaries 

 Mack, the wing feathers and even some of the coverets marked and mottled with the 



