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the fringe of birch wcod that sheltered the Cuckoos, 

 itself at the foot of the sanctuary of the forest, there 

 stretches away for miles and miles a plateau of moor- 

 land which, although within sight of snow that lasted 

 till July, fairly teemed with Grouse, and was only 

 separated from the actual forest by a narrow neck of 

 Loch Coulin such as deer could swim in a few minutes. 



Without doubt the most characteristic bird of the 

 deer forest is the Ptarmigan. Of all birds to be found 

 there, none are so absolutely confined to the mountains 

 as this most Alpine of our avifauna. Alone of British 

 birds, the Ptarmigan finds it necessary to don a white 

 winter dress. This means that it is only found in 

 situations where snow lasts several months of the j'ear, 

 and where the ground is completely covered for several 

 weeks in the depth of winter. 



Although showers are likely to occur on mountains 

 of 3,000 ft. or more in September, by October snow has 

 come to stay, and by the middle of November, which is 

 the latest time at which I have seen the Highlands, the 

 veil of snow is down to about 1,500 ft., and lies several 

 feet deep on the tops, driving down the wild life of 

 all kinds, unless indeed the Eagles care to take their 

 exercise by soaring over the snow-capped " Beinns." 

 Ptarmigan have to come down to the lower edge of 

 the snow shroud, and their natural enemy the Eagle 

 comes too. 



At the time when the ordinary visitor sees the 

 Highlands, i.e., in the autumn, all the natural denizens 

 of the forest are at their best and strongest, the hills 

 are clear of snow, and one has to climb to an elevation 

 of about 2,500 ft. to see these birds, and as the area at 

 or above 2,000 ft. is small, and the Ptarmigan common, 

 one can be fairly sure of seeing them, which is a thing 

 to be thankful for, as one cannot be sure of seeing any 

 of the other life of the forest. It is more than likely 

 that one may only catch a glimpse of the white wings 



