122 HILL BIRDS OF SCOTLAND 



the cavity with grain to just within reach of the birds. 

 Unless frost comes, the plot must end in failure, but if 

 the cavity is properly hardened, the birds, after eating the 

 grain on the surface, attempt to reach that temptingly 

 displayed in the cavity. In doing so they over-balance 

 and are held prisoners, for the feathers resist all attempts 

 at backward progress. 



In Lapland Ptarmigan are said to be caught in large 

 numbers in birch snares. Sometimes the close harmonisa- 

 tion of a hen Ptarmigan with her surroundings may be 

 against her safety. I have seen on more than one occasion 

 a herd of deer, moving quickly down a hillside at the 

 scenting of danger, pass right over the spot where a mother 

 Ptarmigan was tending her brood. The startled bird ran 

 forward in front of the stags feigning injury in order to 

 draw them away from the vicinity — a needless precaution 

 in the case of excited animals in full flight. The young 

 Ptarmigan on these occasions run a considerable risk of 

 untimely death, but they are able to conceal themselves 

 amongst rocks in a most remarkable manner, and probably 

 do so on the approach of the herd. 



Although, as I have mentioned before. Ptarmigan 

 are found with their broods even on the very highest tops 

 during the summer months, they are rarely met with 

 above the 3000 feet line in winter ; and never, I think, 

 visit the plateaux about the 4000 feet line at that season 

 of the year. I am inclined to believe that on the hills 

 bordering the Atlantic the birds are found regularly at 

 somewhat lower altitudes than is the case on the Cairn- 

 gorm range. 



There is little doubt, I think, that Ptarmigan make 

 periodic migrations from one hill to another, and I have 

 heard that when a certain isolated hill in Aberdeenshire 

 has been shot over repeatedly, the existing stock of Ptarmi- 

 gan take wing in a body, making for a hill about a dozen 



