THE PTARMIGAN, 237 



the lamented Dr Landsborough, describe this wild and savage 

 tract as a 



" Vast scene of utter solitude." * 



I have been on many mountain ranges, but those of Arran have 

 certainly left with me deeper impressions than all the rest combined. 



" In vain you look for hamlet's humble walls ; 

 For curling smoke from peaceful cottage roof ; 

 For slightest trace of slightest change produced 

 On nature's features by the hand of man. 

 All, all is still ; save when the savage scream 

 Of eagle echoes through the lonely sky. 

 Where, like dark speck, immovable she hangs 

 In the blue vault ; or when an aged deer 

 Sole remnant of the herd bounds nimbly by, 

 And turns with look of wonder and reproach 

 To gaze on the intruder." f 



The Ptarmigan is perhaps nowhere more numerous in Scotland 

 that in Ross-shire. On the higher ranges of Ben Wyvis a region 

 of perpetual snow it is often obtained in considerable numbers 

 by sportsmen during their autumn excursions. I have been in- 

 formed by Mr Walter Arras, Fodderty, near Dingwall, that in the 

 course of a day's shooting on Ben Wyvis he has seen ten brace 

 shot; and that, in September, 1868, one shooting party had about 

 fourteen brace within eight days. Mr Elwes writes that on the 

 western mountains of the same county it is " very abundant so 

 much so, indeed, that Lord Hill's son killed over 100 brace to his 

 own gun in two days in the autumn of 1866." 



Writing in May, 1869, Mr Harvie Brown informs me that the 

 Ptarmigan is still a very common species on the mountains of 

 Sutherlandshire, and thus describes his search for the nest of the 

 bird : "Friday, May 2 1 . To-day R. and I, along with the minister's 

 shepherd, went up to the ' region of stones ' on the top of Ben 

 Harran in the glebe, and searched diligently for a Ptarmigan's 



* Nor are the glens less solemn or impressive. An artist friend lately told 

 me that, on one occasion while sketching in one of the most retired " bits " of 

 Glen Sannox, he was almost appalled by the intense gloom pervading the scene. 

 Overhead the leaden thunder cloud revealed a small break, through which there 

 came a struggling gleam of light penetrating, but not diffusing itself, into the 

 dark ravine. " One glance," said my friend, " was more than enough, and I was 

 glad to shut up my portfolio and run." 



t Arran. A poem, by the Rev. David Landsborough. 



