168 
air is sufficient to produce the effect. The action is, of course, the call 
of the male to the females as is the display of the Peacock or the Turkey 
gobbler. Spring is the proper season for drumming, although it is indulged in 
regularly in the autumn also, probably in sheer exuberance of spirits, for 
there is no sexual activity accompanying it and the females appear to give 
it no particular attention. 
Ptarmigan 
General Description. Ptarmigan are Arctic Grouse and notable tor their remarkable 
seasonal change in plumage. In winter they are, except for certain details in some species, 
pure white; in summer, they are barred or vermiculated with various shades of red, brown, 
and ochre, with irregular white feathers and patches 
remaining from the winter. The moult seems practically 
constant throughout the summer, and as they have an 
autumn as well as a summer plumage, some very puzzling 
plumage mixtures occur. In the same bird white 
feathers of the previous winter may still persist when 
similar ones of the coming winter season are appearing 
together with a mixture of both the summer and the 
autumn plumages. The principle characteristic of the 
summer plumage is generally a distinct and coarse cross- 
barring and that of the autumn is fine vermiculation and 
an intimate pepper and salt mixture of colours. There 
is evidence as well, in at least one species, the Rock 
Ptarmigan, of two colour phases similar in character to 
those of the Ruffed Grouse. In summer, irregular 
patches of white may persist and the wings are always white. The feet are feathered to 
the toes (Figure 193). With these decided characteristics there need be no mistaking this 
group. In midsummer the toes in moult may seem bare, but the worn feathers remaining 
and the incoming pin feathers always show that this is but an intermediate condition. 
Under certain conditions the nails seem to overgrow in a remarkable manner. 
Ptarmigan are circumpolar and like many other Arctic forms they 
extend southward along the mountain tops where high elevation carries 
northern conditions into more southern latitudes. The northern individuals 
make long seasonal migrations, walking much of the way but flying 
occasionally, and are capable, when necessary, of making passage of quite wide 
stretches of water, as between the Arctic islands. Those of more southern 
habitat move down the mountain sides to find more southern conditions. 
There are three species of Ptarmigan in America, one of which, the 
White-tailed, is peculiar to the Rocky Mountain region. The Red Grouse 
of Scotland is an interesting Ptarmigan that has lost its ability to turn 
white in winter. 
Our three Ptarmigan have been split up into various races, but 
individual and seasonal variations, to say nothing of a dichromatic tend- 
ency, are so great and the racial differences are so slight that none but an 
expert, with large experience in the group and ample specimens, is com- 
petent to separate them. 
301. Willow Ptarmigan (Including Alexander’s Ptarmigan). Lagopus lagopus. 
L, 15. The largest of our Ptarmigan. In winter all white excepting for the tail which 
is black (Figure 194). A scarlet comb over the eye is prominent in spring and may 
persist more or less at other seasons. 
The summer plumage is rarely complete and first appears on the head spreading to 
breast. In the male, the plumage is nearly uniform maroon brown to almost black on 
throat and breast, with barring on crown and hindneck. The autumn coloration of these 
arts is considerably lighter, no darker than rich chestnut, and the upper parts are markedly 
arred with shades of reddish ochre and dark brown, with comparatively little of the fine 
vermiculation that is such a striking feature of the autumn plumage of the other species. 
Feathered foot of Ptarmigan; 
scale, about $. 
