PTARMIGAN. 139 



PTARMIGAN. 



PLATE CXLI. 



Lagopus vulgaris, FLEMING. 



Lagopus mutits, SELBY GOULD. 



Tetrao lagopus, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



r MHE Ptarmig-an also pairs early in the spring, and 

 the eggs are begun to be laid in June, and to 

 be sat upon by the beginning of July, incubation 

 lasting three weeks. The hen alone brings up the 

 brood, and has been known to do so even when the 

 male had been taken; and so also, if one of the young 

 had been picked up, to go close to the person taking 

 it, as if to demand it back again; she gathers them 

 under her wings in cold and stormy weather. 



The nest, if any be formed, for sometimes the 

 bare earth is laid upon, is composed of a small portion 

 of heather or grass, placed in some slight hollow under 

 a rock, stone, or plant, and is very difficult to be 

 detected, 'for,' says Sir William Jardine, 'the female, 

 on perceiving a person approach, generally leaves it, 

 and is only discovered by her motion over the rocks, 

 or her low clucking cry.' The male on the first sign 

 of danger has flown off, and she thus follows him, the 

 young dispersing in all directions, hiding themselves 

 and laying still under any stones, tufts, or bushes. 



