104 PTARMIGAN-SHOOTING. 



The ptarmigan, I believe, has never been tamed. It 

 subsists on the rock-plants, mosses, and berries, upon 

 which it is curious to see a pack feeding like grouse on 

 young heather. The plumage begins to change colour 

 in October, when the bird gains a double set of feathers 

 for winter. In spring all these drop off, and it again 

 assumes the colour of the rocks. 



The woodcut represents a ptarmigan in its common 

 attitude, cowering under shelter of a stone ; the other is 

 perched upon the top of a rock, an equally characteristic 

 situation 



