104 KEMINISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



CHAP. VIII. 



THE PTARMIGAN. — "WHERE FOrXD. — PEEIOl^ OF BREEDING. 

 TAKEN^ BY GKEENLAKDEES. — DESCRIPTION OF PTARillGAN. 



Ascending now the craggy rocks, 

 Where Ptarmigan are found in flocks, 

 These birds, possess'd of little sense, 

 To nature trust for their defence ; 

 Their summer plumage scai-cely shewn 

 Amongst the grey surroimding stone. 

 In winter, changed to dazzling white 

 'IVIidst snow, almost concealed from sight. 



The ptarmigan or wliite grouse is a bird that carefully 

 avoids the rays of the sun, which animals and birds 

 in general enjoy; they are only found towards the 

 highest parts of the mountains, and in the winter form 

 holes and burrows in the snow, where numbers lie close 

 together as protection from the excessive . cold. The 

 ptarmigan are found but in small numbers on the 

 Keswick hills in Cumberland, and some in the moun- 

 tains in North Wales ; but on the summits of the highest 

 hills in the highlands of Scotland, and in the Hebrides 

 and Orkneys they are numerous. They are also found 

 on the hill of Ben Lawers, and on Benmore mountain. 



