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WINTE R SKETCHES. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



Grouse; Hardiness of — Difference of Climate in Morayshire 



— Migratory habits of Partridges — Grubs, &c. destroyed by 

 Pheasants — Ptarmigan — Ptarmigan Shooting during winter 



— An Expedition to the Mountains — Early start — Tracks of 

 Otters — Otter-hunting — Stags — Herons — Golden-eyes — 

 Wild Cat — Mallards — Tracks of Deer — Grey Crows — 

 Eagle — Shepherd's hut — Braxy mutton — Ascent of the 

 Mountain — Ptarmigan — Change in the weather — Dan- 

 gerous situation — Violent Snow-storm — Return home — 

 Wild-duck shooting — Flapper-shooting. 



Grouse, although frequenting high and exposed 

 situations, are perhaps less affected by a moderate 

 fall of snow than partridges or any other gan:ie. A 

 hardy and a mountain-bred bird, the grouse cares 

 little for cold ; and although the hill-side may be 

 covered with snow, by digging and burrowing he 

 soon arrives at the heather, and thus obtains both 

 food and shelter ; and in weather which makes the 

 partridge cower and mope most disconsolately under 

 any shelter it can find, the grouse-cock, with his 

 well-clothed legs and feet, struts and crows on the 



