HARDINESS OF GROUSE. 283 



WINTER SKETCHES. 



CHAP TEE XXXIV. 



Grouse ; Hardiness of Difference of Climate in Morayshire Migratory 

 habits of Partridges Grabs, &c., destroyed by Pheasants Ptarmigan 

 Ptarmigan Shooting during Winter An Expedition to the Mountains 

 Early start Tracks of Otters Ottnr-liunting Stags Herons Golden- 

 eyes Wild Cat Mallards Tracks of Deer Grey Crows Eagle 

 Shepherd's hut Braxy mutton Ascent of the Mountain Ptarmigan 

 Change in the weather Dangerous Situation Violent Snow-storm 

 Return home Wild-duck shooting Flapper-shooting. 



GROUSE, although frequenting high and exposed situations, 

 are perhaps less affected by a moderate fall of snow than 

 partridges or any other game. A hardy and a mountain-bred 

 bird, the grouse cares little for cold ; and although the hill- 

 side may be covered with snow, by digging and burrowing he 

 soon arrives at the heather, and thus obtains both food and 

 shelter ; and in weather which makes the partridge cower 

 and mope most disconsolately under any shelter it can find, 

 the grouse-cock, with his well-clothed legs and feet, struts 

 and crows on the cold snow apparently in full enjoyment of 

 life and health. In this county of Moray the difference of 

 climate between the hill-side and the flat lands near the 

 salt-water bays is very great greater, indeed, than would be 

 supposed. Long after every trace of snow has disappeared 

 from the fields near the bay of Findhorn, the country four or 

 five miles to the southward, inland, is still deeply covered 

 with it. The large fir plantations certainly create a mildness 

 in the air which melts the snow in their immediate vicinity ; 

 but beyond the extent of their influence the ground becomes 

 colder and colder, and the snow deeper and deeper, every 

 mile that we recede from the sea. 



In October the summits of the higher mountains are 

 generally clothed in snow, and frequently hills of a very 

 moderate height are partially covered with it. As soon as 

 this occurs, a great many partridges, black game, and wild- 

 fowl of all descriptions migrate to their winter quarters. 



Partridges are far more migratory in their habits than is 

 generally supposed. Every winter several large unbroken 

 coveys betake themselves on the first approach of storm and 

 cold to the quiet and warm fields in the lower part of the 



