PTARMIGAN. 



of the bog- myrtle. I have found their crops quite full of it, 

 emitting a strong aromatic scent when opened. In winter I have 

 found them full of alder catkins. They come into the fields in 

 autumn and eat the oats, affording a good chance for the sports- 

 man's rifle while they are seated on a stook busily picking the 

 grain. 



I captured some young ones once which were hiding in the 

 heather, and kept them in a cage for a few days, feasted them on 

 green pease, and let them go again. They are much like young 

 grouse at an early age, but the feet are not feathered down to the 

 end of toes, as those of grouse and ptarmigan are. 



The plumage of the hen differs entirely from that of the cock, 

 being a sober mixture of brown and grey - mottled feathers. 

 She takes all the charge of the young, while he struts about 

 among the other members of his harem ; for, like the Peacock 

 and Pheasant, the "bird of the jet-black plume and glossy 

 feather" is polygamous, as are also those gorgeously -attired 

 Eastern potentates. 



THE PTARMIGAN (Lagopus mutus) are very numerous on the 

 high mountains, abiding at a height of two thousand feet or 

 more above the level of the sea. 



When pursued, they run rather than fly, only taking short 

 flights round the hill-top, and alighting out of sight. I have seen 

 a brood in summer near the top of Ben Lomond being carefully 

 tended by both parents, who were much disturbed at the sight of 

 us. I was sorry I had not materials to make a drawing of them. 

 There are some on the top of Eoshven. I remember seeing, 



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