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THE COMMON PTARMIGAN 
Lagopus mulus — ^Leach. 
PLATE XIX. Plumage OF Winter ^XX. Young. 
Tetrao lagopus, Linneeus. — Ptarmigan, Pennant, Latham. 
• — White Grouse, Bewich's Birds Common Ptarmigan, 
Selby's Illustrations, Ux. and Ixix. p. 433. 
This delicately marked bird in its summer dress, 
and of snowy whiteness in winter, appears also to be 
a native of both the European and American conti- 
nents, though it is certainly more abundant in the 
former. It is a species confined to the most alpine 
districts, and may be said to be very generally spread 
over those of Europe. In Great Britain, 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, and some contemporary writers, these birds 
were once found on the hills of Westmoreland and 
Cumberland ; and, I believe, recollections even exist 
of a few having been seen upon the high ranges which 
appear on the opposite border of Scotland. These have 
been for some time extirpated, and unless a few so- 
