PTARMIGANS

Noun

ptarmigans

plural of ptarmigan

Source: Wiktionary


PTARMIGAN

Ptar"mi*gan, n. Etym: [Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan, tarmonach.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: 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 (L. Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (L. albus) is found in both Europe and America.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

9 November 2024

ARCTIID

(noun) stout-bodied broad-winged moth with conspicuously striped or spotted wings; larvae are hairy caterpillars


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