The Scottish Natin-alist. 297 



parts of the Ochil range, they have of late years, with the ex- 

 ception of a few brace here and there, nearly disappeared, owing 

 to extensive drainage, and the almost total annihilation of hea- 

 ther, by wholesale burning, for sheep-wintering. I have seen, 

 however, up to two or three years ago, pretty large packs after 

 the close of the shooting season ; but these are no doubt birds 

 that have been driven across Strathmore from the higher hills, 

 and which return again, performing a kind of local migration. 

 It is satisfactory to learn that, within the last few years, the Grouse 

 has been successfully reintroduced ^ by Admiral Maitland Dougal 

 of Scotscraig, on the heathy flats at the mouth of the Tay, on 

 Tent's Muir, where they have since become resident. 



89. Lagopus mutus Leach. (Ptarmigan.) 



Frequent on all the higher tops in Athole, Rannoch, and Bread- 

 albane, the Ptarmigan, as is well known to those familiar with it 

 at different seasons of the year, "in its native haunts," is well 

 deserving of its name " Mutus," from its almost perpetual change 

 of plumage, — from the pure white, which it attains in winter, 

 varying into every shade of grey and brown in summer, and even 

 for a short time in the breeding season, to almost black, — at 

 these times approaching so nearly in colour and appearance to 

 surrounding objects among the weather-beaten and lichen-crusted 

 stones which it frequents, as to be almost undistinguishable, un- 

 less by chance the eye of the bird be caught. Guided by in- 

 stinct in cases of sudden alarm, this similarity in colour is often 

 taken advantage of with great effect, especially should there be 

 young birds, when the whole covey, scattered among the loose 

 stones, will squat motionless, for any length of time, till the dan- 

 ger be past. A curious instance of this was once observed by 

 myself when botanising on Shiehallion. While crossing one of 

 the numerous steep stony patches that clothe the north side of the 

 mountain near its summit, my attention was drawn to a small, 

 dark object, some few yards off, appearing and disappearing in 

 a most unaccountable manner, and always in the same spot. 

 Stealthily creeping up to within a short distance, I discovered 

 the object of my attraction to be a large polecat, popping its 

 head and shoulders in and out between the stones, and dancing 

 up and down in a most extraordinary state of excitement, as if 



^ The term "reintroduced" is made use of, as doubtless, when the heath 

 extended from mountain to sea, of which there is abundant proof, the muir- 

 fowl then occupied every portion of the district. 



