2 04 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



the Partridge {Ferdix cinerea), and the Red Grouse 

 [Tetrao scoticus) are too well known to need further 

 comment; but high up on the mountain tops the 

 Ptarmigan {Tetrao mutus) has its home. This 

 Grouse is mottled brown of various shades in 

 summer, but in winter assumes a snow-white dress 

 for the sake of protection from various predaceous 

 creatures. It then closely resembles the Willow 

 Grouse {Tetrao albus), a bird imported into this 

 country in large numbers for food ; but the artist 

 will find a point of distinction in the narrow black 

 stripe through the e^^e of the male Ptarmigan. He 

 will also be careful to note that in winter the toes of 

 the Ptarmigan are covered with thick feathers, almost 

 hiding the claws, but in summer the greater part of 

 the toes is almost bare. The Black Grouse {Tetrao 

 tetrix) and the Red-legged Partridge {Caccahis rufa) 

 also deserve the attention of the landscape painter. 

 That magnificent bird, the Great Bustard {Otis 

 tarda), is now, alas! exterminated from its British 

 haunts, but I see no reason why a bird of this 

 species should not be introduced into a picture of 

 Salisbury Plain, once its favourite home. 



Passing notice must be given to the various 

 species of Plover and Sandpiper that frequent the 

 uplands in summer and the low coasts in winter — 



