Ptar·mi·gan n.  Zool. Any grouse of the genus Lagopus, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter.
 Note: ☞ They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America.  The common European species is Lagopus mutus.  The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (Lagopus Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (Lagopus albus) is found in both Europe and America.

 ◄ ►


 Grouse n. sing. & pl.  Zool. Any of the numerous species of gallinaceous birds of the family Tetraonidæ, and subfamily Tetraoninæ, inhabiting Europe, Asia, and North America. They have plump bodies, strong, well-feathered legs, and usually mottled plumage. The group includes the ptarmigans (Lagopus), having feathered feet.
 Note: ☞ Among the European species are the red grouse (Lagopus Scoticus) and the hazel grouse (Bonasa betulina). See Capercaidzie, Ptarmigan, and Heath grouse. Among the most important American species are the ruffed grouse, or New England partridge (Bonasa umbellus); the sharp-tailed grouse (Pediocætes phasianellus) of the West; the dusky blue, or pine grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) of the Rocky Mountains; the Canada grouse, or spruce partridge (D. Canadensis). See also Prairie hen, and Sage cock. The Old World sand grouse (Pterocles, etc.) belong to a very different family. See Pterocletes, and Sand grouse.


 Lagopus scoticus
      n : reddish-brown grouse of upland moors of Great Britain [syn:
          red grouse, moorfowl, moorbird, moor-bird, moorgame]