172 THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES. 



with the changing aspect of their haunts, the 

 latter tints being emphasized at a time when the 

 mosses and lichens are burnt up and beginning 

 to fade. Then comes the period of the winter 

 snows when the mountain-tops are decked in a 

 white pall which lingers over them until the 

 following spring. Our Ptarmigan must change 

 their dress to elude their enemies, and the browns 

 and grays are doffed, and a plumage of dazzling 

 whiteness is assumed in their stead. White 

 ground and white birds harmonise together, and 

 the Ptarmigan lives safe in his disguise until the 

 melting of the snow, when his browns and yellows 

 are renewed with the changing year. That this 

 masquerade is effectual every one can testify who 

 has met the Ptarmigan at home. I have absolutely 

 walked through a flock of these birds and nearly 

 trod upon them before one took wing ; and in 

 spite of my closest scrutiny, the squatting birds 

 have risen one by one unseen from the ground 

 around me, as I stood completely bewildered and 

 nonplussed, yet filled with indescribable admiration 

 for the feathered tricksters 1 . Keen of eye must 

 the Falcon or the Eagle be that can detect the 

 birds from the stones amongst which they nestle 

 so securely. Like all ground birds, the Ptarmigan 

 never cares to use its wings until absolutely com- 

 pelled. Sometimes it will fly across the valleys 

 from one hill to another; and it is capable of 

 going with great speed, its wings beating rapidly, 

 or held out arched and stiff when it sails over the 

 brows with no visible effort. Buds and tender 

 shoots of the mountain herbage are its favourite 

 food ; and in autumn it feasts upon the various 

 ground fruits that grow in its wild haunts. 



