294 SPORT IN EUROPE 



round them, is much in vog-ue among the Norwegian farmers, who 



pride themselves on using the rifle only to bring the bird down. 



The little hjerpe, or hazel-hen, which, though a true grouse, is 



scarcely bigger than a partridge, and has delicious white flesh, is 



altogether sylvan in its habits. Directly the covey is 

 Hjerpe. .... 



flushed, the birds take to the trees and sit motionless, 



requiring sharp and experienced eyes to detect them. But, if left 



quiet, they will after a time betray their whereabouts by a low whistle. 



When disturbed they dart with great speed through the forest for a 



short distance and settle again. The sportsman had better pocket 



his pride as a gunner, and shoot them sitting whenever he has the 



chance. Everyone, however magnanimous to begin with, always 



ends by doing it. 



The ptarmigan, or fjeld-rype, which is identical with the bird found 



in Scotland, is indigenous to the rocky summits of lofty mountains, 



above the line of growth of the willow and dwarf-birch. 

 Ptarmigan. 



and its pursuit leads the sportsman into grandly desolate 



regions. Early in the season the birds will run croaking before the 

 shooter, and when forced to take wing, will soon settle again. But 

 later, when the first sprinkling of snow has fallen on the fjelds, and 

 the birds become to a certain extent packed, they afford grand 

 wild shooting, and with some management on the part of the guns, 

 who must separate and go in opposite directions, splendid driving 

 shots. 



But the bird on which the shot-gunner will chiefly depend for 

 Willow his sport in Scandinavia is the Skov-rype, or willow- 

 rouse, grouse. In treating of this bird the writer thinks he 



