ptarmigan Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage
WordNet
Ptar"mi*gan noun
Etymology
Gael.Definitions
(Zoöl.) 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.✍ 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.