Rock Ptarmigan in Summer

Rock Ptarmigan in Winter

Rock Ptarmigan

Status One record. An adult in full winter plumage was taken at Elmsdale, Hants County, on 20 April 1922 by Malcolm Lucas (Piers 1927). The specimen was acquired by the Nova Scotia Museum and remained in its collection of mounted birds for many years. The black loral mark, a characteristic of the Rock Ptarmigan in winter, removed any doubt in Piers' mind with regard to the species, but he was unable to determine to which race it belonged.

Remarks Some years ago a thief stole a number of mounted specimens from the Nova Scotia Museum's collection, and this ptarmigan unfortunately was among them. It has not been possible, therefore, to establish this bird's subspecific identity.