light of the sun’s rays. But we still go ou, and the breeze couiiug from the snow-clad fields above, chills like tho brentli of winter; wliilo tho
hills that seemed so lofty wheu we commenced to ascend, aiipear now liko slight undulations of tho soil, as little perceptible as tho heaving
breast of the slumbering ocean ou a calm midsummer's day. All around is still; no sound breaks tho silence save our own footfalls aa wc
struggle ou, or perhaps the scream of the startled hawk, ns he wheels iu circles over us. As yet wo Imvo not seen a Ptarmigan, and tlio sparse
vegetation around docs not seem capable of suppoi-ting bird-iifo to any extent; but siiddeuly, springing from almo.st bencatli our foot, one
rises from the moss and tufts of grass whore it liad lain concealed, aud flying only a .xliort distance, alights upon some projecting rock, wlicro,
after having watclied us for a few seconds, standing perfectly motioulcss, it coiiimcuces to dress it fcatlici-s, apparently taking no furtlicr notice
of our movomeuts. Before we proceed, let us east our eyes around, and wc muy find tlie compauious of tlio one before us, for tlic Ptarmigan
loves the society of its owu species, aud is rarely found alone. At first nothing but the stoues nnd grass meet our gaze, but yonder is a clump
of grayish hue, whicli, ns wo draw nearer, takes a more definite shape, and from the midst of its compactnc.s.s, twinkle a pair of briglit eyes
all alert to our movcincuts. Drawing still closer, it stirs, and rising on sounding pinions, discovers tlio living, vigorous bird; which, with easy
flight, joius its mate before us. And now, our eyes more accustomed to distinguish their forms, wc sec tlicm on oveiy side nestled closely to
the ground; aud in order tiiat they may recover their conftdcucc, let us return n short distance, and seat ourselves, Soou a faint ciiirp is
lieard, aud several little heads arc raised, aud one individual bolder thau the rest runs a few steps, then stops and looks around,—au insect
flying over attracts tlic eye of one, and lie springs to catch it, nnd is joined in the pursuit by several more. Thus, ouc hy ouo, they return
to their usual occupations, some seeking seeds, others dustiug tjiemsolves iu the way, all fear of our presence having been removed; aud
thus gratified with belioldiug them piireue the daily callings of tlieir peaceful natures, we will leave them, a happy, coutoiitcd little society,
and turn on our doimward path.
In wiutcr tho present bird is perfectly white, never having iu cither sex the black mark through tho eye observable in tho males of
perhaps its nearest ally, the Lagopus Mutus, and differs.from that species also iu its tail being always wliito, instead of black tipped with
white. In summer the head aud back part of tlie neck is crossed with fine lines of black and yellow, the feathers on top of the head tipped
with white. Entire upper parts golden gray, spotted with iron gray, aud confusedly mottled with black. Feathers ou fore part of breast
darker thau the back, the black more conspicuous, aud a broad white spot iu the centre on both sides of tlie shaft, this, however, uot extending
to the tip. Wings, lower part of breast, aud tail, white a t all seasons. In winter the plumage is pure white.
Tho pi Is the tl I sexes of the natural si