KOCK PTARMIGAN. 



291 



the beak to the eye. The manners differ some- 

 what, as it inhabits rocky places or juniper plaint 

 at all seasons. It frequently stretches the neck 

 out, and makes a croaking kind of noise. They 

 are very numerous at the two extremes of the 

 Bay, but never visit the middle settlement except 

 in very severe weather* This is called by the 

 natives Uscaihadmh^ by the English Ilock-Par- 

 tridge ; whereas the other is distinguished by the 

 name of WapatheuJ' 



Temminck describes a specimen he received 

 from America, as a variety of the common Ptar- 

 migan ; future observations will no doubt enable 

 ornithologists to determine the fact, whether it be 

 a distinct species, or only a variety of that bird. 

 The black streak between the beak and eye, which 

 appears to be a leading character in this species, 

 is well marked, although the bird appears to be 

 nearly in its summer plumage : the top of the 

 head and the hinder part of the neck are varied 

 with black feathers, striped with rufous, and white 

 at their bases : the top of the back, the scapulars, 

 and the breast, black : the feathers of the lower 

 part of the back, the rump, and the upper tail- 

 coverts, grey-brown, with zigzag black stripes, 

 each feather having a bar of black, and a white tip : 

 the throat, the lower part of the neck, the under 

 parts of the body, and the wings, pure white : the 

 tarsi slightly covered with feathers : the last joint 

 of the toes nearlv naked. 



