868 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



has larger bill and in autumn is dark buff -brown ; L. m. reinhardi 

 (Greenland) is much like last but with smaller bill and female 

 summer has buff of under -parts paler ; L. m. helveticus (Alps) male 

 summer is often much like L.m. millaisi but sometimes browner and 

 in autumn considerably more buff, female summer has under -parts 

 paler buff -yellow and black bars wider ; L. m. pyrenaicus (Pyrenees) 

 male summer more barred with buff and paler on upper -parts than 

 L. m. millaisi, in autumn pale sandy-buff less grey, female summer 

 like L. m. helveticus ; L. m. hyperboreus (Spitsbergen, Franz Josef 

 Land) is much larger than other forms ; other forms are found in 

 Far East and America. Lagopus lagopus has considerably deeper 

 and wider bill. Ptarmigan distinguished from other British game- 

 birds by its white wing -feathers. 



Field -characters. — In summer affecting higher stony mountain 

 tops in Scottish Highlands, but descending to a lower level in winter. 

 Pure white plumage of winter unlike that of any other resident 

 British bird. From spring to autumn white under -parts and white 

 on wings and tail as well as ash-brown — not ruddy — upper -parts 

 and its smaller size distinguish it from Red Grouse. Crouches 

 motionless on approach of danger and at all seasons its cryptic 

 coloration makes detection difficult on ground, but in flight — 

 which resembles that of Red Grouse — the white in its plumage is 

 conspicuous. Call a prolonged harsh frog -like croak. 



Breeding-habits. — Only found on moorlands at high elevations. 

 Nest. — Mere hollow in stony soil, often sheltered by rock, with 

 scanty lining. Eggs. — Usually 6 to 10, but 12 said to have occurred, 

 smaller than those of Red Grouse and generally with paler ground, 

 while blotches are often dark chocolate rather than red-brown. 

 Average of 100 Scotch eggs, 43.58x31.02. Max. : 49.5x29.6 and 

 46x32.6. Min. : 39.5X29.7 and 42.4x29 mm. Br ceding -season.— 

 Latter half May and early June. Incubation. — By female alone. 

 Period said to be nine days longer than that of Red Grouse (Millais). 

 Single brooded. 



Food. — Shoots and leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus, also less fre- 

 quently V. vitis-idcea, Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum, Salix and 

 seeds of various Juncese and Cyperacese. In autumn also berries of 

 Empetrum nigrum, etc. 



Distribution. — Confined to Scotland. — Resident. On high moun- 

 tains of mainland from Ben Lomond north, also a few in Jura, Skye, 

 Lewis and Harris. Extinct Orkneys, Arran, Dumfries. Unsuccessful 

 attempts at introduction into Ireland have been made. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Replaced by allied subspecies in Scandi- 

 navia to north Russia, Alps to southern Bavaria, Carinthia and 

 Styria, the Pyrenees, Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land, Iceland, 

 Greenland, Arctic America, Aleutian Islands, Siberia and north 

 Japan. 





