LAGOPUS ALBUS,
In botli sexos there is a vevmilioii membrane over each eye, larger anil move conspionons in the malo-
In ivintcr the plumage is ¡luve white, with tlic exception of tlic tail, ivhioli is black tipped with ivhito- Tlic feathers of the logs and
feet gro'v very long and thick a t this season, covering the entire foot, sometimes even the nails. These last are very long, thin, concave
beneath, aud wliitc. They arc slicd goiicrally in July,
The young have tlie head above dark brownish red, with a black spot on the crown, and a blackish-broivu stripe on tlio hack of the
neck. Upper part of the body speckled ivitli i-nfons brown and black, with white spots on the wings. Under parts yellowish. Tail
yellowish brown, bari-ed irregularly with blackisli brown.
This species seems to be constantly moultiug, as it is very rare to Iind a specimen tb a t has not any nciv fcathei's upon some ¡larl of
its body. The change fi'oin the summer to the winter dress commences generally toward the latter part of September, aud the birds
present a very pretty speckled appearance with the white feathers intermingled witli tlie colored ones.
The spring moult commences first with the males, tlio colored feathers appearing upon tlie head and neck, whicli, from tlicir red line,
when contrasted with the white bodies, have a veiy peonliar effect when viewed from a distance. The mottled featlicrs of the back next
appear, and lastly those of the breast, Tho foatlici-s near the nostrils seem to remain white the longest, as I have frequently observed
this in speoiincns which otherwise wore iu complete snmnier plnniagc. The back ligave iu the plate shows this peculiarity.
Tlie 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 a t the same time as the otiier sc.v.
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.