TETRAONID.E. 



4^3 



THE PTARMIGAN. 



Lagoi'US mutus (Montin). 



As regards Greal Britain, the Ptarmigan is confined to Scotland ; 

 there being no positive evidence of its occurrence in the mountains 

 of Cumberland or Westmorland. Recent investigations by Mr. R. 

 Service (Zool. 1887, pp. 81-89) have, however, shown that a few 

 existed in the highest jjortions of Dumfriesshire and (Jalloway 

 until about 1822, when the last were captured near Sanquhar; 

 though a subsequent attempt by the late Duke of Buccleuch to 

 re-stock that district proved unsuccessful. Owing to re-introduc- 

 tion it is still found in Arran, and a few pairs survive on the Paps 

 of Jura as well as in Islay, while in gradually decreasing numbers 

 it is found in Skye, Harris, and Lewis. From the vicinity of Ben 

 Lomond northward, it inhabits the " region of stones " on the higher 

 mountain-masses, especially in Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Inverness- 



i> p 2 



