PTARMIGANS. 
217 
the sisters of Meleager were transformed into these "birds, 
which still retain in their spotted plumage the traces of their 
tears ! 
The family Tetraonid^ contains the Grouse, Partridges, 
Quails, and allied birds. The family is, among other cha- 
racters, distinguished by most of the species having a naked 
space, generally of a bright red colour, above the eye. Some 
of the genera are polygamous, like our poultry ; while others, 
as the ptarmigan, are monogamous. The quails and their 
allies are celebrated for their habit of congregating in vast 
numbers, w^hich they generally do when about to migrate. 
Most of the birds are found on the ground, but a few, such 
as the Colins [Ortyx), perch on trees : these birds are natives 
of America, and are often beautifully plumed. A mono- 
graph of them, elegantly illustrated, has been published by 
Mr. Gould. Our figure (Plate XVII. fig. 3) shows a beau- 
tiful species of this genus, the Ortyx signifer. 
The Ptarmigans {Lagopus) are distinguished by their legs 
and toes being thickly clothed with small feathers. They 
are natives of the mountainous parts of Europe and North 
America, and abound in the Arctic regions. There are se- 
veral species, most of which are remarkable for changing 
their plumage in winter; at this season the feathers are 
