This is Bird Note.

When winter turns the world white, some animals of the northern latitudes follow suit.

Call it a seasonal change of camouflage.

Best known is the ermine, a small weasel whose fur changes from brown to snow white in winter.

A few birds also change color.

One such is the Willow Tarmigan, a chicken-sized bird of the northern tundra

known for its giddy voice. The Willow Tarmigan, feathered mostly brown in summer, is utterly transfigured by an autumn

molt.

As snow begins to mantle its world, the newly white-feat feather tarmigan blends in superbly.

Where a covey of tarmigan sit with feathers fluffed up against the cold, they resembled nothing

so much as a row of oversized snowballs. Only a flick of their black tail feathers gives

them away. The tarmigan pulls yet another winter trick. It adds dense feathering, white of course, on both the tops and bottoms of its feet, and its claws grow longer.

The winter tarmigan actually quadruples the bearing surface of its feet,

which is to say, the bird grows snowshoes.

Well, it's no wonder why the tarmigan likes a good laugh. Take a good look at the

a little, a little, a little, a little, a little.

Take a good look at the chameleon bird,

the Tarmigan, on our website,

bird note. I'm Mary McCann.