LAGOPUS ALBUS. 
In botli sexes there is a vermilion membrane over each eye, larger and more conspicuous in the male. 
In winter the plumage is pure w’hite, with the exception of the tail, which is black tij)ped with white. The feathers of the legs and 
feet grow very long and thick at this season, covering the entire foot, sometimes even the nails. These last are very long, thin, concave 
beneath, and white. They are shed generally in July, 
The young have the head above dark brownish red, with a black spot on the crown, and a blackish-brown stripe on the back of the 
neck. Upper part of the body speckled with rufous brown and black, with white spots on the wings. Under parts yellowish. Tail 
yellowdsh browm, barred irregularly with blackish brown. 
This species seems to be constantly moulting, as it is very rare to find a specimen that has not any new feathers upon some part of 
its body. The change from the summer to the winter dress commences generally toward the latter part of September, and the birds 
present a very pretty speckled appearance with the white feathers intermingled with the colored ones. 
The spring moult commences first Avith the males, the colored feathers appearing upon the head and neck, which, from their red hue, 
when contrasted with the white bodies, have a very peculiar effect when viewed from a distance. The mottled feathers of the back next 
appear, and lastly those of the breast. The feathers near the nostrils seem to remain w^hite the longest, as I have frequently observed 
this in specimens which otherwise were in complete summer plumage. The back figure in the plate shows this peculiarity. 
The female does not commence to change until several days after the male, but proceeds more rapidly with the moult, and assumes 
her full livery nearly at the same time as the other sex. 
I have considered it best to give two plates of this species, so as to show it in both the summer and winter dress. 
The first represents two adult males, and a female surrounded by her brood; the other, one bird in process of change, and one in its 
pure white livery. All the figures are life-size. 
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