236 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



not impossible, therefore, that while treading the brown tracts of 

 deserted heath in after years, the naturalist may be forced to recal, 

 with a melancholy interest, the lively challenge of this feathered 

 highlander as he startled the very hills with his sudden flight, and 

 lament that he cannot now stand 



"And mark 



O'er many a farm house, many a ranked stook, 

 Our pastoral country's upland barrier dark, 

 Where flocks graze numerous, and the sheep dogs bark ; 

 Along yon moorland brown with heather bells, 

 There swarm the honey-bees and sings the lark ; 

 While grouse, which summer saw burst from their shells, 

 Rough-footed run o'er knowes where moss-bees build their cells." 



MAID OP ELVAR. 



THE PTARMIGAN. 



L AGO PUS VULGARIS. 

 Tarmachan. 



AN abundant species on all the higher mountains of Scotland ex- 

 tending to the Outer Hebrides, but becoming less frequent and 

 somewhat local as we trace it westwards, especially on the Long 

 Island, where it is wholly confined to the rocky peaks of Harris 

 and Lewis. Sir James Matheson has informed me that on some 

 parts of his estate in Lewis, small flocks are found on the summit 

 of the highest hills, but that the bird can only be regarded as a 

 scarce species there. He has, however, issued orders for their pro- 

 tection, being anxious to see their numbers increase. 



In Headrick's time, it was met with " on the granite mountains 

 of Arran,"* and is still a native of Goatfell and Ben Noush, but in 

 reduced numbers. Three years ago, Mr Halliday, the Duke of 

 Hamilton's gamekeeper, procured a number from Inverness-shire, 

 in order to strengthen the breed; but it appears doubtful if the 

 mountains of Arran are sufficiently attractive for the future increase 

 or well-being of the species. It would be impossible, I daresay, to 

 imagine a more extraordinary or awe-inspiring scene than that 

 presented to the adventurous climber on gaining the summit of 

 either of these stupendous mountains. Well did my late friend, 



* See "View of Arran," etc., by the Rev. James Headrick, Edinburgh, 1807, 

 p. 327. 



