Jet eae UsbsOiN  BaUelLelik TAN 11 
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Ptarmigan nest on the ground, generally in a hollow under concealing 
bushes or between hummocks. There are commonly from 7 to 10 eggs, 
sometimes more, of a creamy color, heavily blotched with brown; some 
authorities report that the egg is a rich crimson. Eggs are 1% inches long. 
The incubation period is about 342 weeks. Incubation does not begin until 
the last egg is deposited; before then, the nest is kept covered. 
The male stays nearby for protection and assists in the care of the 
chicks. The young are notoriously precocial, and are able to run and hide 
an hour or two after hatching. About the tenth day they are able to fly. 
Family groups stay together until fall or winter, often not scattering until 
nesting time in the spring. In summer, ptarmigan feed on berries, foliage, 
and insects. In winter they exist largely on the twigs of willows, alders, and 
other shrubs which they are able to dig out of the snow .As spring comes. 
they eat the buds of various trees or shrubs, grass, insects, and spiders. 
Grouse are considered valuable chiefly as game birds. The Willow 
Ptarmigan is the all-important game bird of Alaska. The ptarmigan popula- 
tion fluctuates every ten years. Hunting of the Red Grouse in Britain 
is famous in legend and story. Considering the bleak, barren regions where 
ptarmigan live, it is wholly natural that they should be prized as additions 
to the larders of the few inhabitants. The flesh of the Willow Ptarmigan 
is preferred to that of the Rock, although both are eaten. The Alaska 
Willow Ptarmigan has the widest distribution of any Alaskan game bird. 
It is found on tundras and willow-grown flats over most of the mainland, 
except in areas occupied by a subspecies, the Alexander Ptarmigan. 
In the fall, ptarmigan afford the hunter good sport. Like the Ruffed 
Grouse, they rise explosively when disturbed. Ptarmigan seldom. all rise 
at once when they are scattered and feeding. Their flight is said to be 
always in a straight line, often extending a considerable distance They 
alight in bushes or trees as readily as upon the ground. Until several years 
ago, large numbers of ptarmigan were sold in the markets of Newfound- 
land. This action is now prohibited. 
927 Brummeli Street, Evanston, Illinois 
a a a a 
N.R. C. i. CONFERENCE — 1964 
The Natural Resources Council of Illinois — a forum of conservation 
organizations — will hold its Annual Conference on Oct. 9, 10 and 
11 at the Holt Memorial Center and Allerton House, near Monticello, 
Illinois. All lovers of the out-of-doors are urged to attend and enjoy 
a stimulating week-end. There will be round-table discussions and 
interesting lectures by leading naturalists and conservation officials. 
For a complete program, write at once to Sylvia H Dillon, Correspond- 
ing Secretary, 826 N. Blanchard Street, Wheaton, Illinois. 
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