240 
The Willow Ptarmigan 
Directive 
Markings 
the generous feathering of the feet and toes, and probably serve as “ice- 
creepers,” of great use in walking or wallowing in crusty snow. But the 
extraordinary thing is that in summer tlie old toe-nails drop off, replaced 
by new ones growing from the quick ! 
In winter plumage, one set of feathers fails to conform to the general 
whiteness — the tail-feathers. When the bird is at rest, the very long upper 
and under tail-coverts almost completely conceal these black tail-feathers, 
which are then closed together in narrow ranks. But, when the bird 
takes flight, the tail is widely spread, and a black “directive” marking 
flashes forth against the white background. In summer, the wing-feathers, 
persisting from the winter dress, are unnoticed in the 
bird at rest ; but, as the wings are spread in flight, 
they furnish a conspicuous “directive” pattern against 
the dark landscape, the black tail-feathers being then ineffective. 
With all its marvelous fitness, the ptarmigan has much to contend 
with — the arctic fox, the weasel, the Rough-legged Hawk, the Gyrfalcon 
and the human hunter. 
Looked at from the utilitarian standpoint, it affords, on the far north- 
ern frontier, an even more important game-resource than did the eastern 
gallinaceous birds in the early days of the settlement of the States. The 
weight of a Willow Ptarmigan is one and one-half pounds, so that each 
bird affords as much food as four or five Bob-whites. 
In most of the vast North conditions yet remain primitive, so far as 
wild game is concerned. But, around the mining settlements in Alaska and 
Yukon Territory, the larger animals have been much reduced in numbers, 
or entirely used up, and many natural enemies of these birds have been 
reduced to small numbers. This doubtless has served to offset the effect 
of firearms, so that only in the near neighborhood of settlements has there 
been a notable decrease in tbe number of Willow Ptarmigans. 
Classification and Distribution 
The Willow Ptarmigan belongs to the Order Gallincu, the Family Tetraonidcu, 
and the Genus Lagopus. Its scientific name is Lagopus lagopus tagopus. It in- 
habits the Arctic Zone generally, residing and breeding from the polar islands south 
to the Aleutian Islands, central Alberta (along the mountains), central Mackenzie, 
all around Hudson Bay and thence east to southern Labrador. In winter it ranges 
southward to the Saskatchewan River and Quebec. Two subspecies are recog- 
nized — Allen’s Ptarmigan (L./. alJeni) of Newfoundland, and Alexander’s Ptarmi- 
gan (L.l. ale.vandrcu) of the islands of southern Alaska west to the Shumagin group. 
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