105 
although extremely scarce in north Baffin island during summer and 
autumn, is quite common during winter. The birds evidently breed in the 
mountains of Bylot island. Their first movement across Eclipse sound 
from Bylot island to the Baffin Island coast occurs early in October. It 
is stated that the birds are in many cases so tired by the flight that they 
alight on the beach almost exhausted. 
At Pangnirtung fiord, from September 11 to 21, 1923, no ptarmigan 
was seen. Here, as elsewhere, they were reported to be scarce during the 
summer, but comparatively common in late autumn and during the 
winter. After a heavy snowfall on September 18, fresh ptarmigan trails 
were once seen. 
No ptarmigan was seen during summer and early autumn of 1924 at 
Cumberland sound. A few were secured by Eskimo at long intervals 
during September and early October. The birds became more numerous 
in late October and throughout November. Many were brought to the 
post by the natives in December and January. On the journey to the east 
coast in February and March, 1925, ptarmigan were twice seen — in Padle 
fiord and in the north part of Kingnait pass. 
The species was next observed at Nettilling lake (Isoa) on May 12, 
1925. They were then scarce. By May 22 they had become quite common 
around camp at Takuirbing river. Many individuals were collected, all 
males. The first females were taken on May 27; these were just entering 
the pre-nuptial moult and had buffy black feathers over rump and head. 
The crowing of the males was first heard on May 22, and thereafter it was 
a familiar sound until well into June. A female taken on June 10 was in 
almost full summer plumage, and carried a finished egg in the oviduct. 
Another taken on June 16 was in the same condition. The male birds 
remained white until well into July. The first observed with a sprinkling of 
brown feathers of the summer plumage was collected on July 2. After July 10, 
ptarmigan became very scarce and days passed without observing a single 
bird, notwithstanding that they had been numerous in late May and during 
June and had nested in the region. 
The first juveniles, on the point of flight, were taken on July 26 near 
Takuirbing lake. These were brown and black mottled with sulphur- 
coloured down around the neck and down the middle of the breast and 
belly. No ptarmigan was encountered after July 26 until August 10, 
when an adult and a brood of seven young were seen on the shore of Amittok 
lake. The young were just learning to fly. 
During the voyage on Nettilling lake in late August and early Sep- 
tember, 1925, ptarmigan were frequently observed on the rocky islands, 
and the coast south to Amadjuak river. These were usually solitary birds, 
or families. None was seen on the low, west coast, nor about Koukjuak 
river; the birds obviously shun the tundra. 
Very few ptarmigan were noted during the winter of 1925-26. A 
small flock was seen frequenting a ledgy cliff with southern exposure, in 
Nettilling fiord, about the middle of January, and numerous fresh signs, 
where the birds had been scratching for food, were noted in the snow along 
Amittok river in February. No sign of them was observed in west Baffin 
island during the journey across the western tundra to Foxe basin. On 
the traverse from Cumberland gulf to Amadjuak bay in April, 1926, no 
ptarmigan was seen. 
