284 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



country ; and when spring returns, pairs of partridges appear 

 here and there, on every little patch of cultivated ground on 

 the moors. These birds being almost entirely granivorous, 

 always select cultivated districts and indeed they only 

 thrive where corn grows ; but their actual consumption of 

 corn is not great, for a partridge is a moderate eater, and in 

 part feeds on the seeds of grasses and many weeds as well as 

 on corn. I am confident, as I have before stated, that most, 

 if not all, granivorous birds amply repay the farmer for their 

 food by the quantity of weeds they destroy during a great 

 part of the year. The pheasant is in a great degree an 

 insectivorous bird, and feeds more on grubs, caterpillars, and 

 other insects, than on corn ; thereby relieving the farmer 

 from a whole host of enemies whom he could in no other way 

 get rid of. 



During storms the ptarmigan burrow deep under the snow 

 in search of shelter and food. These birds seldom descend 

 far down the mountains, even in the severest weather. When 

 only the summits are covered, they descend to the edge of 

 the snow ; but when the whole mountain is white, they do 

 not leave it for the lower hills, but find what shelter they 

 can by burrowing. Ptarmigan-shooting during winter is a 

 most laborious sport, and is frequently attended with no 

 small risk, owing to the snow concealing the numerous clefts 

 and dangerous places which intersect the heights where these 

 birds abound. The days, too, being short, and the changes of 

 weather frequent, the ptarmigan-shooter must work carefully 

 and quickly. 



Some few years back, when living in the north of Scotland, 

 I was anxious to get a few ptarmigan in their beautiful 

 winter plumage, which is as pure a white as the snow itself. 

 It was late in the season, and the ground was covered with 

 snow ; but as there had been a few days' frost, the walking 

 was by no means bad ; so I determined to start in spite of 

 the cold and snow, and the grumblings of old Donald, who 

 had but little inclination for the pursuit. 



Our plan was to reach a shepherd's house, situated about 

 ten or twelve miles that is to say, about four hours' easy 

 walking up the course of the river ; there we were to sleep, 

 and to attack the ptarmigan on the following day the 

 mountain where I expected to find them being situated near 

 the shepherd's house. At the first break of day Donald and 

 I left the house, accompanied by one quiet dog, whose 



