48 
GROUSE FAMILY. 
of that frigid and cheerless region. It is also found on Mel- 
ville Peninsula and the Barren Grounds, and indeed seldom 
proceeds farther south in winter than the 63d parallel in the 
interior, but descends along the coasts of Hudson Bay to lati- 
tude 58 degrees, and in severe seasons still farther to the 
south. It is met with in the range of the Rocky Mountains as 
far to the south as the latitude of 55 degrees. In its habits 
anil mode of living it resembles the Willow Grouse, but does 
not retire so far into the woody country in winter. It fre- 
quents the open woods on the borders of lakes at the same 
season, particularly in the 65th parallel, though the bulk of the 
species remains on the skirts of the Barren Grounds. It 
hatches in June. 
The usual habitat of this species is the barren ground region of 
the Arctics, though one example was shot on Anticosti by Mr. 
William Brewster. 
Note. — In Reinhardt’s Ptarmigan (Z. ru'pestris reinhardti) 
the male in summer plumage is more mottled, above, than true 
7 'upestris, and the female is black, above, varied with grayish buff. 
This race is found in Greenland and on the western shore of 
Cumberland Bay and the northern extremity of Labrador. 
WELCH’S PTARMIGAN. 
Lagopus welchi. 
Char. In winter similar to rupestris. Male in summer: above, dark 
brownish gray blended with whitish gray and reddish gray ; head and 
neck lighter ; wings white ; breast and sides like back ; throat, belly, and 
legs white; tail dusky gray; bill and claws black. Female: similar, but 
of lighter color, and the back and breast tinged with yellow. Length 
about 15 inches. 
Nest and Eggs. Unknown, but probably similar to rupestris. 
This species, which is closely related to the Rock Ptarmigan, is 
restricted to Newfoundland, where it ranges over the rocky hills 
and barrens of the interior. It was first described by Brewster, in 
1885, from specimens taken by George O. Welch, of Lynn. 
