THE PTARMIGAN. 357 



quickly do tliey run, and so nimble and active are they in 

 escaping from you, that they are soon beneath some jjro- 

 jecting stone, far beyond the reach of your arm, where 

 you hear them chirping and calling out in defiance and 

 derision. The call of the old Ptarmigan is singularly 

 loud and hoarse ; it is a prolonged grating, harsh note, 

 and may be heard at a great distance." This has been 

 compared to the scream of the Missel Thrush ; but 

 Macgillivray says it seems to him more Like the croak 

 of a frog. 



Ptarmigans pair early in spring, and build their nest of 

 grass bents and twigs in a slight hollow behind a stone or 

 bush, and lay from seven to twelve eggs. The yoting are 

 able to run about as soon as they are hatched, and, as we 

 have seen, are most expert and nimble in concealing them- 

 selves. The hen bird when surprised with her young 

 brood counterfeits lameness, and runs about in great 

 anxiety, as if wishing to draw attention from her chicks 

 to herself. Their food consists of the fresh green twigs of 

 heath and other mountain plants, seeds, and berries. While 

 feeding they run about, and are shy in taking flight even 

 when they have acquired the use of their wings, but crouch 

 on the approach of danger, and remain motionless and 

 silent. When at length they do rise, they fly off" in a loose 

 party, and mostly in a direct line, for a distant part of the 

 mountain, the movement of their wings resembhng that of 

 the Grouse, but being lighter in character. Early in the 

 season, a long time before Grouse, the coveys of Ptarmigans 

 unite and form large packs, and it is while thus congregated 

 that they perform their partial migrations from the high 

 grounds to what they consider a milder climate, the Nor- 

 wegian valleys. There, while the ground is covered thickly 

 with snow, they, to a certain extent, modify their habits, 

 and perch on trees, sometimes in such numbers that the 

 branches seem to be altogether clothed in white. It does 

 not appear that any of these flocks make long journeys or 



