344 



XOETH AMEEICAX FAUXA. 



[NO. 27 



large numbers of ptarmigan appeared on Deadman Island, on the 

 south side of the lake west of Little Btiffalo River, evidently having 

 crossed the lake from the northern shore. All of them were ex- 

 hausted, and many, imable to fly farther, fell into the water before 

 reaching the island. 



As was stated bv Richardson, the willow ptarmigan undoubtedly 

 breeds in the Rocky Mountains, south to the Jasper and Henry 

 House region. Wliile collecting in that region in 1895. J. Alden 

 Loring fotmd the species abundant at a point about 50 miles west 

 of Henry Hotise during the latter part of September. The camp 

 was close to the timber line, and a hea^w snow had driven the birds 

 down into the open parks, where they were feeding on the >eeds of 

 grasses. Four specimens were taken at Henry House. September 

 26. They had commenced to assume the winter plumage, most of 

 the lower parts being white, and white feathers appearing also on 

 the back, head, and throat. In the case of the female the molt is 

 slightly more advanced than in either of the three males taken. In 

 1896. Loring reported taking one in Smoky Valley. 50 miles north of 

 Jasper House, on Atigust 27. and on October IS collected three from 

 a flock of nine in Caribou Basin. 15 miles west of Henry House. In 

 these specimens the winter plumage is complete, except for a few 

 scattering feathers about the heads, and on the back of one. 



These specimens from the Henry House region are considerably 

 smaller than birds from Hudson Bay and the Mackenzie. Five adult 

 males from Great Bear Lake and Fort Simpson have an average 

 wing measurement of 194: six adult females from the same locali- 

 ties average 188. Adult males from Fort Churchill and the " Bar- 

 rens' south of there have a wing measurement of 203. and females 

 from 190 to 203. while males from near Henry House measure about 

 190 and females about 171. Since no specimens in summer plumage 

 from the latter region are available, no satisfactory color comparisons 

 can be made, but it is probable that the willow ptarmigans breeding 

 in the southern Canadian Rockies will be found to be separable from 

 those inhabiting the Barren Grounds and now included under the 

 name Z. lag opus . 



The dates of the arrival of willow ptarmigan at Lac du Brochet 

 Post, Reindeer Lake, during the autumnal movement southward, as 

 observed during a series of years, are incorporated in a table given on 

 page 22. Corresponding dates for Fort Chipewyan appear in tabu- 

 lar form on ]oage 23. 



Franklin enumerated ' ptarmigan.' doubtless referring mainly 

 to the present species, as one of the four birds which still re- 

 mained about Fort Enterprise at the latter end of October. 1S20.« 



Narrative Journey to Polar Sea, p. 247, 1S23. 



