PTARMIGAN, 323 



The Ptarmigan is the smallest in size of the British 

 Grouse ; and though considcrecl to have been formerly an in- 

 habitant of the mountain ridges of Cumberland and West- 

 moreland, it is now only found as a British bird among the 

 grey rocks on the highest ranges of hills in the central and 

 northern parts of Scotland, in the Hebrides, and in the Ork- 

 neys. It was not met with by Mr. Dunn in Shetland. 



The name of Ptarmigan is but a slight modification of the 

 Gaelic word, Tarmachan. This Grouse is not found now 

 in any part of Ireland, not even in the north, where it might 

 have been expected. The Red Grouse, as I am informed by 

 Mr. William Thompson, is the only species of Grouse now 

 to be found in Ireland, where it inhabits most of the suitable 

 localities. 



The Ptarmigan pairs early in spring, and lays eight or ten 

 eggs, frequently on the bare ground, among stones. The 

 eggs are yellowish white, sparingly blotched and spotted with 

 dark brown ; the length one inch eight lines, by one inch two 

 lines in breadth. The food of these birds is the various sorts 

 of alpine berries, seeds, and the tender shoots of alpine 

 plants. Mr. Selby says, the note, or common call, of the 

 Ptarmigan is not unlike that of the Missel Thrush, but 

 rather more harsh in sound. Mr. Macgillivray compares the 

 sound of the Ptarmigan''s voice to the croak of a frog. At 

 the commencement of the shooting season, the broods, or 

 small families, go together ; and Mr. Gould has very justly 

 observed, that the mountain Ptarmigans are less wary and 

 shy in their disposition than the other Grouse, — doubtless in 

 consequence of being less disturbed by man, against whom 

 the elevated regions they inhabit present an obstacle of too 

 formidable a nature to be often encountered. Pennant and 

 others have said that they are very silly birds, so tame as to 

 bear driving like poultry, and if provoked to rise, take very 

 short flights. The only preservative, says a sporting friend 



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