53 



PTARMIGAN. 



WHITE GROUSE. 



Lagopus vulgaris, .... Fleming. 



Lagopus mutus, .... Leach. 



Tetrao lagopus, ..... LrtfNiEUS. 



Tetras Ptarmigan, .... Temmixck. 



Lagopus. Lagos— A hare. Pons — A foot. Vulgaris — Common. 



The Ptarmigan, like many of our other birds, has gradually, as cultivation has 

 encroached on its native haunts, become more rare, and in some districts has entirely 

 disappeared; such seems to have been its fate in Cumberland and Westmoreland, -where 

 Pennant says it once existed; no traces are, however, now to be found of it in England, 

 and the most southern part of Scotland where it is to be met with is the Grampian 

 range of hills, or possibly Skiddaw. It becomes more and more plentiful as you go 

 north, among the Highlands, and is also found in the Hebrides, and other Isles of 

 Scotland. It is found in Islay, and on the Paps of Jura in considerable plenty. 



In Wales it has long been extinct. 



In Ireland it does not exist. 



The Ptarmigan of both the European and American continents is generally believed to 

 belong to this species, but it is probable that several distinct birds have been confounded 

 under this designation, for many other species of Grouse change to a white plumage 

 in the winter; but however this may be, the Ptarmigan must always excite a degree of 

 interest, from the curious phenomenon of its changing in winter, in common with the 

 ermine and alpine hare, from the gay dress of summer to the pure tint which affords 

 it warmth and security in its bleak and alpine haunts when covered with their snowy 

 mantle. So admirably adapted indeed are its two states of plumage to afford it security, 

 that even the keen eye of the Eagle is very often unable to distinguish it among the 

 surrounding objects which in colour it so closely resembles, unless it chance to excite 

 attention by some unwary motion. 



Although the colour of the Ptarmigan must be a very great protection to it from 



