The WHITETAIL PTARMIGAN is found further south than other members of the genus, extending its range into the mountains of New Mexico. They are extremely unsuspicious and even with young will permit close approach without exhibition of uneasiness or concern. In the high altitudes which they frequent, dangerous enemies are scarce, else this lack of wariness soon would extinguish the race.
NEST: a mere depression in ground; sometimes a comparatively well-built structure of leaves, grass and weed stems, lined with feathers.
EGGS: 10 to 16; pale brown or buff, spotted with chestnut specks over entire surface.
Rocky Mountains from northern British Columbia and Central Alberta south to Vancouver Island, Washington, northwestern Montana, Colorado and mountains of northern New Mexico.