A PTARMIGAN DAY. 229 



Both sides of Ben Oss descend abruptly into 

 rocky precipices. They can only be ranged to 

 advantage, therefore, by keeping the crest of the 

 hill, and inclining to either slope as the skill of 

 the shooter suggests. Of course the game is 

 easier found by the dogs on the windward 

 side ; but as all birds like shelter, a good and 

 quick shot will get more, though not such fair 

 chances, by hunting chiefly to leeward. On the 

 present occasion a fair light breeze wafted 

 along the mountain-top, equally favouring both 

 ridges. 



Carefully ranging the top, but always with a 

 serpentine course first to one ridge then across to 

 the other, I had nearly finished the search of the 

 mountain from south to north ere I was rewarded 

 by the statuesque profile of the pointer on the 

 very summit of a crag, and at its base was the 

 setter squatted firm, evidently close to his game. 

 The birds rose from some rocks below the ridge, 

 so when they darted over the precipice the 

 chance was quick and difficult. One fell to 

 the first shot, but the second was nearly out of 

 reach. The pack only contained four, but as the 



