PTARMIGAN 173 



in ascending the hills in pursuit of these birds one does 

 not find them, as a rule, so low, there is unmistakable 

 evidence of their having been there recently, by the 

 presence of their feathers and dro23pings. Like Grouse, 

 thev prefer to make their mornino; and evenino* meals on 

 ground that is lower than that on which they rest during 

 the day. 



Ptarmigan are as much aflected by the weather as 

 Grouse are, and though they are not at all shy by nature, 

 yet a really wet or stormy day makes them unapproach- 

 able, as the latter would be under the same conditions. 

 But on a fine day, provided the birds are fairly numerous, 

 it only requires good eyesight to make a bag. Ptarmigan 

 have a habit, when they first observe a human being, of 

 standing perfectly motionless in an erect position ; and as 

 in the autumn their plumage so exactly harmonises with 

 their surroundings, it is very difficult for even the most 

 practised eye to discover them. Generally they scj^uat, 

 and the gunner requires a really steady old pointer or 

 setter to w^ork for him, one that has been well shot over 

 and has no tendency to creep, even if the birds are 

 running within a few feet of his nose. But the birds 

 themselves frequently direct the attention of the sports- 

 man by some old cock croaking as he approaches or passes 

 by. This old fellow is the parent of the brood, and when 

 the covey crouch he maintains the highest position on the 

 rock or ground on which they are lying and is always the 

 first to rise. 



When rising, it is very unusual for any of the covey 

 to be left behind. On the old cock taking wing and 

 crowing, the rest immediately obey his signal and start 



