This section is from the book "Bird Guide: Water Birds, Game Birds And Birds Of Prey East Of The Rockies", by Chester A. Reed. Also available from Amazon: The Bird Book.
301. Lagopus lagopus. 15 in.
In winter, white with black tail feathers. In summer, usually reddish-brown with black bars. This species has a much stouter bill than the next.
Nest. - Eggs laid on the ground. Rich buffy, so heavily blotched and streaked with black as to nearly conceal it. (1.75 x 1.25).
Range. - Breeds in the northern half of Canada, migrating southward to southern Canada.
301a., Allen Ptarmigan (L. I. alleni), found in Newfoundland, is similar, but in winter the shafts of the primaries are always black.
 
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