) Shedding of the Claws in Ptarmigan and allied Birds. 775 
_ #862; the claws, however, are considerably shorter than in the 
_ Norway example, and in all other specimens of albus in the Mu- 
eum.” Dr. Bean was kind enough to show me the specimen, 
it was apparent that the extreme shortness of the claws 
was due to the fact that the bird had shed them just before it was 
‘Shot, except on the right outer toe, on which the nail was so 
_ loose, however, that it dropped off, as I was a little too rough in 
handling it. 
will thus be seen that the shedding takes place in July or 
according to locality and other circumstances, at the 
When the toes are most denuded—in fact almost wholly 
_ taked—and the dark summer plumage is most complete. The 
daws grow very rapidly, however, and reach their full length long 
the white winter-plumage with the densely clothed toes is 
far as known, this process is confined to the members of 
family of Tetraonidz, mentioned above, when in the wild 
astern Asia. It is to be expected that we will soon hear 
ances from this Nearctic region also, when attention has 
been directed to it. 
ical investigation has been made to ascertain the 
and the development of this unusual process (at least I 
ware that any results of such an investigation have ever 
sshed), and consequently nothing is definitely known. 
mie use which <i birds derive from this extraordinary 
a the winter, to struggle with the snow upon which they 
to walk. The snow is often loose, and with a foot 
the common fowl, they would need much pem ex- 
their strength in order to keep themselves on the sur- 
as the ptarmigan by having the underside of the 
st. Acad. Forhandl., 1871, p. 772. 
