ROCK PTARMIGAN. 
47 
canus of Audubon, — but Baird doubted its validity, and it has 
been entirely omitted from recent works. I have given above the 
two biographies as they appeared in Nuttall’s book, for together 
they tell about all that is known of the present species. 
The Willow Ptarmigan ranges through boreal America from 
Labrador to Alaska, and in winter is quite abundant on the north 
shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During some seasons a number 
have wandered sufficiently near to Quebec and Montreal to get into 
the markets. 
There are only two instances recorded of the occurrence of this 
bird south of the St. Lawrence, — one secured by Mr. C. B. Cory 
on the Magdelen Islands, and the second shot by Dr. C. Hart 
Merriam in Lewis County, northern New York. 
Note. — A variety of this species — Allen’s Ptarmigan 
(Z. lagoptis alleni) was described by Dr. Stejneger in 1884. It 
differs from true lagopus in having the wing-feathers mottled with 
black, and black shafts. This race is restricted to Newfoundland. 
ROCK PTARMIGAN. 
Lagopus rupestris. 
Char. Similar to the Willow Ptarmigan, but smaller (length about 
14 inches), and in summer displays more black and less of the rufous 
tint. Also distinguished by a line of black running through the eyes. 
Nesi. A mere depression, with a slight covering of grass and moss. 
(usually 10) ; buff or pale reddish brown, marked with 
darker brown; 170 X 1.20. 
This species is nearly allied to the Common Ptarmigan, but 
is smaller, has more of the brownish yellow in its summer 
dress, broader bars of black, and none of the cinereous tint 
which prevails in the livery of the Ptarmigan. In winter it 
is only distinguishable by its size. This species is, according 
to Hutchins, numerous at the two extremities of Hudson Bay, 
but does not appear at the middle settlements (York and 
Severn factories) except in very severe seasons, when the 
Willow Grouse are scarce. It abounds in Melville Island in 
the dreary latitude of 74 and 75 degrees in the short summers 
