rTARMIGAN 265 



and as they all rise in a bunch and swing 

 away round the hill, it takes good and 

 quick shooting to kill a neat right and 

 left without any firing into the brown, 

 which, though likely to be effective 

 enough as they rise, is a cruel and un- 

 sportsman-like advantage to take. 



On the broken and often dangerous 

 ground to be traversed, where a false step 

 may mean a fall at any moment, the gun 

 must be carried with a primary view to 

 safety rather than with any thought of 

 quick snapshooting. 



Far better miss a few chances than 

 take risks which may easily result in an 

 ugly accident. As the ptarmigan, when 

 flushed, usually betake themselves to 

 some neighbouring top, to which, while 

 they reach it easily in a few minutes, it 

 would take you almost as many hours 

 to follow them, a few gillies, when 

 available, posted on various tops to keep 

 the birds moving, may be found very 

 useful. 



In fine weather the ptarmigan usually 



