ABOVE THE PINE-ZONE 35 



Upon another occasion a dog settled itself upon a 

 hen ptarmigan, about which a group of men and 

 dogs had been reclining for some time. Previous 

 to their resting, their search for a nest had proved 

 futile. 



Like grouse, ptarmigan are early breeders, and 

 eggs are usually found in May. No kind of cover 

 is sought at this season, the nest being placed in the 

 open. It consists of a few bents and dried grasses, 

 and from six to nine eggs are laid. The young 

 follow their parents as soon as they are hatched, 

 and upon the " barrens " are even more difficult 

 to detect than the older birds. 



If the season be favourable the young ptarmigan 

 quickly come to maturity, and are well on the wing 

 by the beginning of August. They feed upon the 

 twigs of heather, ling, and other mountain shrubs; 

 upon insects in spring and summer, and moorland 

 berries in autumn. Those who aspire to make a 

 good bag of mountain grouse must be as sound of 

 lung and strong of limb as those who aspire to stalk 

 the wild red-deer. Although the birds haunt the 

 highest hills, they are found rather upon the upper 

 slopes than the actual summits. Not many coveys 

 will be met with during the day, and therefore no 

 opportunity must be lost. An error of judgment 

 may put the game up just out of range, and miles of 

 rough country has to be traversed before falling in 



