246 grous. 



The bill black ; over the eye a finely granulated, crimson, skin, 

 rising on each side above the level of the crown ; head, neck, part of 

 the back, tail coverts and scapulars, deep orange, crossed with 

 numerous dusky lines, and often with great blotches of white ; belly, 

 legs, and middle tail feathers white ; the rest of the tail dusky, tipped 

 with white ; shafts of the quills black ; legs and toes covered with 

 very thick, and soft white feathers ; claws broad and flat, hollowed 

 out beneath, adapted for scraping or digging. 



The above is the dress for summer. In winter they change their 

 coloured feathers for white ones ; and it is observed, that in addition, 

 every feather, except those of the wings and tail, becomes as it were 

 double; a downy one shooting out at the base of each, thereby 

 affording a more secure protection against the cold. 



The female differs very little, but the bare red skin over the eyes 

 occupies much less space, and is far less conspicuous. 



These birds are met with every where round the globe, within 

 and without the Arctic Circle, as high as lat. 72 ; in the countries 

 round Hudson's Bay, and as low as Newfoundland ; in Norway, and 

 probably in European Russia : in Asia, all over Siberia, as far as 

 Kamtschatka, and the Islands between that and America. Is in 

 plenty at Hudson's Bay, living in flocks during winter, and as they 

 feed on the tops of willows, are called Willow Partridges ; are much 

 esteemed as food, and in such plenty, that 10,000 have been taken 

 at the several forts in one winter, by driving them under nets properly 

 placed : they have from nine to eleven young, and breed every where 

 on the coasts; are called by some, Snow Hens; and by the French, 

 White Partridges ; by the natives called Wapatheu. 



Various opinions have been held, whether this and the Ptarmigan 

 are specifically different, or Varieties of each other. M. Buffon 

 esteems them distinct species, but Dr. Forster is of opinion, that they 

 form Varieties only. The winter clothing appears to be the same, 

 but Mr. Pennant says, that they differ much in the summer dress; 

 Edwards's bird being marked with large spots of white and dull 



