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PTARMIGAN. 
white. In some instances the plumage takes an 
opposite shade, and is remarkable for its deep tint, 
and the almost entire absence of markings. The 
whole, or a part of the quills, are often found white. 
The Common or White Ptarmigan, Lagopcs 
mutos, Vieillot. — Telrao lagopus , Linn ., Penn., elc. 
— Lagopus mutus, Ptarmigan or White Grouse of 
British authors. — This bird, delicately marked in its 
summer dress, and of a snowy whiteness in that of 
winter, has generally been considered as a native of 
both the American and European continents. The 
comparison, however, of many specimens of grouse 
which become white in winter, leads us to believe 
that the distinction of species is still somewhat 
undecided, and that the range or comparative abun- 
dance of the British species is still undetermined. 
We have seen, however, what we consider the 
L. mutus, from artic America, and also among the 
packages of birds which are said by the poulterers 
to come from Norway; but many of the birds 
mentioned by authors as “ Ptarmigan,” from various 
localities, cannot always with certainty be referred 
to that of Britain. 
In Great Britain it is a species confined to the 
most alpine districts, and its only habitation now, 
seems to be the high mountain ranges in the middle 
of Scotland, increasing in abundance as the same 
kind of wild country reaches to the north ; and it also 
extends to the Hebrides. According to Pennant, 
