171 
The summer male is coarsely barred (or blotched) with black in throat and breast 
and the back finely barred with black and ochre. In autumn plumage the black of the 
breast and foreparts is replaced (or intermixed) with finely vermiculated black and 
white and ochre in approximately even proportions. The back is uniformly vermiculated 
with the same colours in fine pepper and salt effect, the ochre predominating as in the 
Rock Ptarmigan, but with even more greyish overwash. 
Females are more coarsely and regularly barred than males, but with less ochre, and 
are more of a black and white appearance than any of the other Ptarmigan. The autumn 
plumage Bhows much fine vermiculation, but is always more barred, especially on breast, 
than the male. 
Distinctions. A small Grouse. Feet feathered to toes and white wings distinguish 
as Ptarmigan. The white tail separates it from either of the other species. 
Figure 196 
Specific details of White-tailed Ptarmigan; natural size. 
Field Marks. As a Ptarmigan, in winter, by complete whiteness. In summer by white 
patches on body plumage and white wings and tail. As a White-tailed in any plumage 
by white tail. 
Distribution. Mountains of Alaska, British Columbia, and adjacent Alberta south- 
ward to New Mexico. A mountain bird rather than an Arctic one. Only regularly found 
above timber-line, and of somewhat erratic and discontinuous distribution. 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies are recognized in Canada. The Northern White- 
tail Lagopus leucurus leucurus, of Alaska, Yukon, and northern British Columbia and the 
Southern White-tail Lagopus leucurus altipetens, of southern British Columbia and south- 
ward. The latter is huffier and less grey in the autumn plumage. 
305. Prairie Chicken (Including Northern Prairie Chicken), pinnated grouse, 
square-tail. Tympanuchus americanus. L, 18. Plate XXIII A. A large prairie 
Grouse with a short, rounded tail, a group of stiff, straight feathers covering an inflatable 
sac on sides of neck; body heavily barred in brown and white. 
Distinctions. To be mistaken only for the Ruffed or the Sharp-tailed Grouse. Easily 
distinguished from the Ruffed by the snort, solidly dark tail, the lack of small eye-spots on 
back, and the replacement of the soft ruffs on sides of neck by stiff straight feathers. Separ- 
ated from the Sharp-tailed Grouse with which it is most often confused by the stiff feather 
neck ornaments and by being regularly and completely barred all below instead of V- 
marked; and the tail evenly rounded instead of ending in a Boft, flaccid point. 
Field Marks. Easily recognized from the Ruffed Grouse by open instead of woodland 
habitat, short, evenly dark tail and stiff straight feathers instead of soft ruff on neck. 
From the Sharp-tailed Grouse recognized by heavy barring all below, and short, even, 
rounded tail. 
