90 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



herbage amongst which it lives ; but in winter, as soon as 

 the ground is covered with snow, nearly the whole of the 

 bird becomes white, and so exactly resembles the frozen 

 ground that the keenest eyes and greatest experience are 

 frequently at a loss to detect its presence. 



The marvellous resemblance here spoken of may be 

 indeed considered almost the only defence against aggres- 

 sion which the bird possesses, as it exhibits none of the 

 caution and wariness shown by other members of the 

 Grouse family. Pennant even says that the Ptarmigan is 

 "a very silly bird, so tame as to bear driving like poultry." 



In Great Britain the Ptarmigan is only found on the 

 highest ranges of hills, in North and Central Scotland, and 

 in the Hebrides and Orkneys ; but it is a resident in most 

 of the high mountainous districts of Northern Europe. It 

 is also to be met with in Savoy, Switzerland, and Spain. 



It never leaves the neighbourhood of these bleak 

 localities, although in unusually severe weather the birds 

 may venture somewhat lower, and take temporary refuge 

 in the clefts and ravines of some lonely and sheltered glen. 

 This is, however, an exceptional occurrence, for severe, 

 weather seems to affect Ptarmigans in so very slight a 

 degree, that they may be seen sitting and pluming them- 

 selves in the snow, quite indifferent to the sleet or blast 

 that surrounds them. 



When disturbed, the Ptarmigan squats on the ground 

 and remains .motionless, but if too closely approached, it 

 rises with a hoarse call, somewhat resembling a croak, and 

 being joined by its companions, the entire company fly 

 away in a loose irregular body, usually to some neighbour- 

 ing eminence. 



Like the partridge and many other birds, it feigns 



