PTABMIGANS 181 



habit of theirs is fatal to shooting over dogs, as it would 

 spoil the staunchest pointers or setters in tlie world, for 

 when the latter see that they will not stand a point, they 

 become so angry that they rush into the burrows and 

 drag out the birds more dead than alive. All the threats 

 and shouts and whippings that a man can hurl at or give 

 the animals for their irregular conduct will not deter 

 them from repeating it, as they become so exasperated 

 at being unable to wind the birds or to make them lie 

 to a point, that they forget prudence and education in 

 their eagerness to be successful in their work. The cold 

 dry air of the mountains also impairs their scenting 

 power, and makes them nervous and irritable; hence, 

 high-mettled animals should never be employed for pur- 

 suing the birds in winter. 



Ptarmigans are in a continual moult throughout the 

 summer, and this gives them anything but a pleasing 

 appearance, as no two seem to be of the same color; 

 but they are in such full plumage in September that 

 they look larger than they actually are, owing to the 

 density of the feathers. They lie fairly well to a dog 

 up to the first of November, and, wlien flushed, fly 

 straight ahead for a few yards, then alight, and com- 

 mence feeding or watching until they are bagged or 

 routed again. They are easily flushed in windy weather, 

 and as they rise at long distances, they afford good 

 sport to those who like strong wing shooting. They 

 are not worth seeking in winter, unless a man is fond 

 of the terebinthine taste which their flesh acquires 

 after they have lived some time on the buds of conifer- 

 ous trees. The best months for shooting them are 

 from August to November, as their meat is then fat, 

 sweet, and succulent, their food being mainly com- 

 posed of insects and berries. Dogs are necessary for 

 finding them during this time, as they hug the ground 

 so closely that it is very difl&cult to see them, and 



