THE PTARMIGAN 125 



daylight. An extract from this writer's notes for 18G5 is 

 given : 



" December 7th. — It was well on towards midday before 

 we reached the top of the hill, and on approaching the 

 summit, it was evident that all the surrounding ranges 

 were enveloped in mist which was gradually advancing 

 from the NE. An immediate start in search of birds 

 was consequently made, in hopes of obtaining a brace or 

 two before the mist compelled us to desist. Forming at 

 once into line (two keepers, two gillies, and myself), so as 

 just to keep one another in sight, we made the best of our 

 way round the face of the hill. The surface of the snow 

 being hard and frozen, we were able to advance at some 

 speed, though, of course, walking on the slopes was risky. 

 On reaching a large patch of broken stones on the north 

 side of the hill, perhaps a wee bit over the march (but the 

 mist was so thick it was impossible to tell our where- 

 abouts with any certainty), the croak of a Ptarmigan was 

 heard, and on stopping the line and looking round, I soon 

 made out a white head over some large blocks of stone. 

 Almost immediately it was detected the bird dashed 

 downhill, though just too late to escape, and falling dead 

 rolled to the foot of the rocks. On being recovered it 

 proved to be a young cock, the plumage still exhibiting a 

 large amount of grey among the white feathers. After 

 passing two or three ugly spots where the line was forced 

 to open right and left, we started several birds which were 

 lost sight of in the mist before there was an opportunity 

 of firing a shot. At length during a slight break in the 

 clouds, as the mist was somewhat less dense, a drive was 

 attempted. Taking my station on a ridge on the east 

 side of the hill, the men were despatched right round. 

 One bird only could I discern, though several others passed 

 in the haze. Being uncertain whether the shot had 

 taken effect, we searched the direction which the bird had 



