PTARMIGAN 167 



island of trackless lava-beds and hot springs ; there I had 

 ample opportunities of studying the habits of the 

 Ptarmigan. They are there in certain localities, notably 

 round the " Fly Lake," quite as numerous as Grouse are 

 on a well-stocked moor ; broods could be seen every few 

 minutes, running out of the way of the ponies, and when 

 full-grown would rise singly from beneath the feet of the 

 person who disturbed them. At the end of June I often 

 came on hens with their young still in down, and on one 

 approaching to within a few feet, the old bird gave a 

 warning cry and the whole of the youngsters separated at 

 once and rushed off like so many little mice to hide 

 themselves under tufts of grass, or, if in the open, to 

 crouch close to the ground with outstretched neck, in 

 which position it is most difficult to distinguish their tiny 

 forms and avoid treading upon them. Even though I sat 

 perfectly still amongst the hidden family, it was always 

 ten minutes or more before the hen would cease her 

 shammed lameness and real distress, and quickly endeavour 

 to collect her scattered belongings. The latter then rose 

 sudclenlv to their feet and scurried off towards her as hard 



/ 



as their little legs could carry them. 



The old cocks were generally shy when found as 

 bachelors, but as benedicts they were all that the most 

 devoted husbands should be, for if within call when their 

 wives and families were threatened they would come flying 

 boldly towards the aggressor, as if to attack him, and never 

 sheered out of his way until within a foot or two, when 

 they would alight suddenly on the nearest stones and be 

 as persistent as the hens themselves in attracting attention 

 or, more properly, in imparting fear. 



