WILLOW PTARMIGAN. 



Lagopus Saliceti, Swains. 

 Le Tetras des Saules. 



The characteristic features which distinguish the Willow Ptarmigan from the Lagopus mutus consist in its 

 superior size, in the rufous colouring of its summer plumage, and the total absence at all times of the black 

 mark between the bill and the eye. Although not an inhabitant of the British Islands, the Willow Ptarmigan 

 is perhaps more widely dispersed than any other species, being abundant over the whole of the arctic circle. 

 It is the most plentiful kind of Grouse found in Norway, Sweden, and Lapland ; and extends its range over 

 the whole of Russia and Siberia. These elevated and dreary regions afford it situations most congenial to 

 its habits and mode of life, in consequence of which its numbers are much diminished as it approaches more 

 temperate climes ; hence in the midland countries of Europe it is much less frequently seen, and south of 

 these latitudes it is never found. 



In its habits, manners, and general economy it strictly resembles the common species, feeding during sum- 

 mer on the tender shoots and buds of heath, together with berries of alpine plants : in winter, when the face 

 of the country is covered with snow, it burrows beneath the surface, and feeds on the scanty herbage, the buds 

 of the dwarf willow, and whatever green vegetable food it can obtain. 



Its nest is placed on the ground among tufts of herbage and brushwood : the eggs are from six to ten in 

 number, larger than those of the Common Ptarmigan, but much resembling them in colour. 



There is perhaps a greater contrast between the summer and winter plumage of this bird than in any other 

 of the Ptarmigans. The purity of the white in winter being contrasted by the rich colouring of summer, 

 which in some individuals we have seen is of a pure uniform chestnut, with scarcely any trace of the zigzag- 

 bars of black. 



Our Plate exhibits two birds, one in the pure white livery of winter, the other in an intermediate stage, 

 namely, that of spring, the white having to a great extent given place, by a partial moult, to the coloured 

 feathers of summer. 



The sexes offer little difference at either season of the year. The first plumage of the young is coloured, 

 which at the autumn moult is exchanged for white. 



In summer the head, neck, back, scapularies, middle tail-feathers and coverts are of a pure chestnut more 

 or less deep, and more or less blotched, with zigzag lines of black ; breast, vent, centre of the wings, and 

 quill-feathers pure white ; lateral tail-feathers black ; beak and nails horn colour ; irides greyish white. 



In winter the whole of the plumage is pure white. 



The Plate represents two adult birds, in different stages of plumage, of the natural size. 



