WINTER SKETCHES. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



Grouse ; Hardiness of — Difference of Climate in Morayshire 

 — Migratory habits of Partridges — Grubs, etc., destroyed by 

 Pheasants — Ptarmigan — Ptarmigan-shooting during "Winter 

 — An Expedition to the Mountains — Early start — Tracks 

 of Otters — Otter-hunting — Stags — Herons — Golden-eyes — 

 Wild-cat — Mallards — Tracks of Deer — Gray Crows — Eagle 

 — Shepherd's hut — Braxy Mutton — Ascent of the Mountain — 

 Ptarmigan — Change in the weather — Dangerous situation — 

 Violent Snowstorm- — Return home — Wild -duck shooting 

 ■ — Flapper-shooting. 



Grouse, although frequenting high and exposed 

 situations, are perhaps less affected by a moderate 

 fall of snow than partridges or any other game. A 

 hardy and a mountain-bred bird, the grouse cares 

 little for cold ; and although the hillside may be 

 covered with snow, by digging and burrowing he 

 soon arrives at the heather, and thus obtains both 

 food and shelter ; and in weather which makes the 

 partridge cower and mope most disconsolately 

 under any shelter it can find, the grouse-cock, with 

 his well-clothed legs and feet, struts and crows on 



