PTARMIGAN-SHOOTING. 9*7 



wing together at the first stone ; and far from being so slow 

 as many suppose, they are quite as rapid in the air, or even 

 more so, than grouse : they will also sometimes take as long 

 nights, although their more common way is to fly round the 

 angle of a rock or precipice, and immediately drop down. 



I cannot better describe ptarmigan-shooting than by giving 

 an account of the first day I ever enjoyed this sport, of which 

 I have a most perfect recollection ; and also of an expedition, 

 in company with an English friend, now many years ago ! 



When fresh from school, the first year I took out a licence, 

 I went on a grouse-shooting excursion soon after the 12th of 

 August. Having slept at the nearest farmhouse to the ground, 

 I started at daybreak for the base of "the mighty" Ben 

 Voirla, where, I had been told, grouse were plentiful that 

 year. My guide was the game-preserver, a reclaimed poacher, 

 who had as quick an eye for a hare sitting, or a ptarmigan 

 among the rocks, as ever peered from under a shaggy brow. 

 After about three miles' very rough walking, we reached our 

 destination. With eager hope I uncoupled my dogs, who 

 soon came to a dead point ; off went both barrels it certainly 

 was missing in good style ! not even a feather dropped for 

 the exercise of my companion's ingenuity to hang a peg upon. 

 All the excuse that his wit or wisdom could frame was 

 " You've made them leave that, at ony rate ! " After two or 

 three equally successful points, I began to wish myself well out 

 of it ; and, looking up to the stupendous mountain, asked if 

 there was any chance of finding ptarmigan should we climb 

 it. Having small hopes of my performance on wing, and 

 knowing, from experience, that a sitting shot might thus be 

 obtained, he caught at the plan, and we commenced our steep 

 and toilsome ascent. An hour and a half brought us to the 

 first shoulder of the hill, when all of a sudden he stopped, 

 eagerness in every feature, and, pointing in the direction of a 

 large rock, said " If it wasna that I thocht it ower low, I 

 would tak' my oath that thing on the tap o' the rock is a 



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