236 



LAGOPUS. PTARMIGAN. 



Generic Characte7\ 



Rostrum breve, basi plumo- 

 sum, supra convexum, la^ 

 teratim compressiusculum, 

 versus apicem aduncum ; 

 mandibula inferiore basi 

 sub trigonum. 



Nares basales, semiclausae. 

 Supercilia nuda glabra. 

 Pedes tetradactyli, mutici; 

 tarsi digitique hirsuti. 



BeaJc short, feathered at the 

 base, above convex, the 

 sides somewhat compress- 

 ed, towards its tip bent 

 down ; the under mandible 

 slightly triangular at its 

 base. 



Nostrils basal and half closed. 

 Eyebrows naked and smooth. 

 Feet four-toed, spurless ; the 

 tarsi and toes hairy. 



Lagopus. Antiquoruniy RaiL, Vieil., Leach. 

 Tetrad. Linn,, Gmel.y Lath., Temm., Cuv,, Nilss. 

 BoNASA. Brisson. 



The Ptarmigans form a genus that was well 

 known to the ancient ornithologists : it possesses 

 the singular character of having the tarsi and toes 

 covered with hair-like feathers : the eyebrows are 

 naked, smooth, and generally of a pale red hue : 

 the tail is either rounded or somewhat square : the 

 sides of the toes are serrated and rough : most of 

 the species change their plumage in the winter, 



