THE PTARMIGAN. 61 



leatj and loves the biting frosts on the tops of the highest moun- 

 ;ains ; and when the snow melts on the sides of the hiUsj it con- 

 stantly ascends to loftier regions, tiU it gains the summits on which 

 t forms holes, and burrows in the snow. These birds pair at the 

 same period as the ordinary grouse. The female lays eight or ten 

 ^.ggs, which are white spotted vnth. brown. There is no form of 

 lest prepared: they are laid on the bare ground. In whiter they 

 iongregate ia flocks ; and they are so little accustomed to the de- 

 vices of the fowler, that they suffer themselves to be easily taken 

 ither with snare 9r gun. _ They feed on the wild and rough pro- 

 iuctions of the hills, which impart a bitter taste to their flesh, 

 though it is not by any means unpalatable ; it is of dark coloui", and 

 5omewhat of the taste of the hare. 



This kind of grouse has engaged great attention from sporting 

 ivriters on account of the singularity of its character and habits, and 

 oaany valuable and philosophic reflections on the general harmonies of 

 mture have been made on the subject. It is contended, that its 

 plumage is admirably and singularly fitted to the general appear- 

 ance of the grounds it frequents. The brown patches of heath on 

 the rocky decHvities of the mountains assimilate strikingly in their 

 broken and blended tints with the summer plumage of the bird, 

 md fitly suits the object of concealment. When the whole country 

 is covered with snow, and presents one extended mass of dazzling 

 whitness, the di-ess of the bird is agaui suited to this change of 

 external nature, and greatly aids its safety and security. The 

 plumage is now not only white, but very thick and downy ; and 

 even its legs are now thickly studded with feathers like hairs, which 

 secure its limbs to the very toes. "The winter colour of the 

 ptarmigan, therefore, in conjunction with its increased fulness of 

 plumage, tends to limit the expenditure of the vital heat generated 

 ii the system; some expenditure, however, must and does take 

 ^lace beyond that of summer, to meet which, the energies of the 

 system are taxed to increase the ratio of its production. This 

 power in the animal system of generating heat, is the principle 

 apon which all animals are enabled to withstand the efi'ects of cold, 

 and to preserve life and health in a low temperature. * * * * 

 feecent experiments have proved beyond doubt, that the change 

 is that of the colom-, not of the feather ; at least the plumage does 

 not undergo a general moult for the purpose. The moult of those 

 birds, which, Hke the ptarmigan, change their livery, appears to be 

 (gradual, in order that the system may not be taxed too much, 

 seeing that it has abeady to struggle with the -debihtating effects 

 of cold. Besides all this, it is scarcely reasonable to suppose that 

 the young ptarmigans should have the brown plumage of their 

 ^parents to moult, when they have only just assumed it. The 

 jrationale then appears to be thus : as the winter approaches, the 

 jsummer dress loses its colour, and gradually passes into the white, 

 jwhile, at the same time, an addition of new white feathers increases 

 jthe fulness pf the plumage to keep up vital heat. On the approach 



