ligiit of tho aim’s rays. But we still go on, and tho breeze coming from the snow-clad fields above, chilis like the breath of winter; while the
liills that scoiiicd so lofty when wo commoiicecl to ascend, appear now like slight uudnlations of the soil, as little perceptible ns the heaving
breast of tho sluuiberiug ocean on a calm niidsnmmcr’s day. All around is still; no sound breaks the silence save our own footfalls as we
struggle on, or ¡icrliaps tho acroain of tho startled iiawk, as he wheels iu circles over ns. As yet we havo not seen a Ptarmigan, aud the sparse
vegetation around docs not sccin capable of supporting bird-life to any e.xtout; but suddenly, springing from almost beneath onr feet, one
rises from the moss and tufts of grass where it had lain concealed, and flying ouly a short distance, alights upon some projecting rock, where,
after having watched ns for a fe>v seconds, standing perfectly motionless, it commences to dress it feathers, apparently taking no further notice
of om- movomcnts. Before wo proceed, let us cast onr eyes aronnd, and we may find tho companions of tho one before us, for tho Ptarmigan
lovc.s the society of its own 8|>ccics, and is rarely found alone. At flist nothing but tho stones and grass meet our gaze, but yonder is a clump
of grayish lino, which, us w-o draw nearer, takes a more dcflnito sliapo, and from the midst of its compactness, twinkle a pair of bright eyes
all alert to our movements. Drawing still closer, it stirs, and rising ou sounding pinions, discovers the living, vtgovons b ird ; which, with easy
flight, joins its mate before ns. And now, our eyes more accustomed to distinguish their forms, wo see them on every side ucstied closely to
tho gioniul; nnd in order that they may recover their confidence, let ns return a short distance, and seat ourselves. Soon a faint chirp is
hoard, and several little heads arc raised, aud one individual bolder than the rest runs a few steps, then stops and looks around,—an insect
flying over attracts the eye of one, and he springs to catch it, and is joined iu the pursuit by several more. Thus, one hy one, they return
to their usual occupations, some seeking seeds, others dusting tjiemsolves in the way, all fear of our presence having been removed; aud
thus gratiflcd with beholding them piireuc the daily callings of tlicir peaceful natures, wo will leave them, a happy, contented little society,
and tiu'ii on onr downward path.
In winter the present bird is perfectly white, never having in cither sex the black mark through the eye ohservabio in the males of
perhaps its nearest ally, the Lagopus Muius, and differs.from that species also in its tail being always white, instead of black tipped with
white. Ill summer tho head and back part of the neck is crossed with fine lines of black and ycUow, the feathers on top of the head tipped
witli white. Eutire upper parts golden gray, spotted with iron gi-ay, and confusedly mottled with black. Feathci-s on fore part of breast
darker than the back, the black more conspicuous, and a broad white spot in the centre on both sides of the shaft, this, however, not extending
to the tip. Wings, lower part of breast, and tail, white a t ah seasons. In winter the plumage is pm-e white.
Tho plate vcpvcscnts the two sexes of the natural size.