CXLl. 



TETRAO LAGOPUS. (Linn. 



Ptarmigan. 



Although the Ptarmigan breeds in various parts of 

 Scotland, the eggs are very difficult to obtain. 



Its breeding places are those bare stony spots whicli 

 cover a portion of most of the higher mountain ridges, 

 amongst which it finds secure retreat ; its similarity of 

 colouring is so great, and its heedlessness of danger is such, 

 (remaining closely crouched till you approach A\ithin the 

 shortest distance,) that it is by no means easy to discover it. 



The eggs are deposited either upon the bare ground, or 

 upon a portion of dry grass or heath; they are ten or 

 twelve, and (as far as I have had a chance of seeing them) 

 exactly similar to the commonest variety of those of the 

 Red Grouse. 



The egg figured was one of a nest of ten, brought from 

 Iceland, by Mr, J. C. Atkinson, of Newcastle. 



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