THE PTARMIGAN-GROUSE. 189 



rene, then they sail about in tranquil enjoyment, 

 and pursue their flight in perfect silence. 



The female lays from eight to fifteen eggs, of 

 an oblong form and an ashen red colour, with spots 

 of blackish brown. The ptarmigan is so wary a 

 bird, that it can rarely be lured into snares of 

 any kind, and is therefore usually pursued with 

 a fowling-piece. All attempts to hatch and rear 

 it, in a domestic state, have been unsuccessful. 

 Fitted to live in the pure air of mountainous 

 elevations, it is scarcely likely that it should 

 thrive amid the heavier atmosphere of the plains. 

 In fact, it would seem almost as much out of its 

 element in the warm and fertile vallies of the 

 south, as does the camel from the deserts of 

 Arabia contending with the cold climate and 

 stony soil of the northern regions. 



SONG OF THE PTARMIGAN. 



'Mid eternal snows 



I love to repose : 



When the waters in icy fetters are bound, 

 In the chambers of snow my portion is found. 



I lay up no store, 



'Mid the mountains hoar, 

 I have but to open their marble door. 



