WI L L OW P T A RMIG AN .
Lagopus Saliceti, Swains.
Le Tétras des Saules.
T h e characteristic features whieh distinguish the Willow Ptarmigan from the Lagc¡m « t e consist in its
superior size, | m n colouring o f its summer plumage, and the total absence at all times o f the black
mark between the bill and the eye. Although np.t an inhabitant o f the British Islands, the Willow Ptarmigan
is perhaps more widely dispersed than any other species, being abundant over the whole o f the arctic circle
It is the most plenhful kind o f Grouse found in Norway, Sweden, and Lapland ; and extends its range over
the whole o f Russia and Siberia. These elevated and dreary regions afford it situations most congenial to
its habits and mode o f life, in consequence o f which its numbers are much diminished as it approaches more
temperate climes; hence in the midland countries o f Europe it is much less frequently seen, and south of
these latitudes it is never found.
In its habits, manners, and general economy it strictly resembles the common species, feeding during sum-
mer on the tender shoots and buds ofheath, together with berries o f alpine plants: in winter, when the face
o f the country is covered with snow, it burrows beneath the surface, and feeds on the scanty herbage, the buds
ot the dwarf willow, and whatever green vegetable food it can obtain.
Its nest is placed on the ground among tufts o f herbage and brushwood : th e . eggs are from six to ten in
number, larger than those o f the Common Ptarmigan, but mnch resembling them in colbur
There is perhaps a greater qontrast between the summer and winter plumage o f this bird than in any other
o f the Ptarmigans. The purity o f the white in winter being contrasted by the rich colouring o f summer
b a T o f b l a d T “ dmd“alS WC ha''e See” " ° f “ P“ re “ “ ¡f0rm cheStDU*' with scarcelf B H zigzag
Our Plate exhibite two birds, one in the pure white livery o f winter, the other in an intermediate stage
namely, that o f spring, the white having to a great extent given place, by a partial moult, to the coloured
leathers o f summer.
The sexes offer little difference at either season o f the year. The first plumage o f the young is coloured
which at the autumn moult is exchanged for white.
In summer the head, neck, back, scapularies, middle tail-feathers and coverts are o f a pure chestnut more
or less deep, and more or less blotched, with zigzag lines o f black; breast, vent, centre o f the wings and
qmU-featheis pure white; lateral tail-feathers black; beak and nails horn colour; hides greyish white. ’
In winter the whole o f the plumage is pure white.
The Plate represents two adult birds, in different stages o f plumage, o f the natural size.