TETRAONIDA, 497 
THE PTARMIGAN. 
Lacopus muUtus (Montin). 
As regards Great Britain, the Ptarmigan is now confined to 
Scotland ; but there are traditions of its occurrence in former times 
on the fells of Cumberland and Westmorland. Investigations by 
Mr. R. Service (Zool. 1887, pp. 81-89) have shown that a few birds 
existed in the highest portions of Dumfriesshire and Galloway until 
about 1822, when the last were captured near Sanquhar, but a 
subsequent attempt by the late Duke of Buccleuch to re-stock that 
district proved unsuccessful; while on Arran, though at one time 
re-introduced, its presence is now doubtful. A few pairs survive on 
the Paps of Jura, and gradually decreasing numbers are found in 
Skye, Harris, and Lewis. From the vicinity of Ben Lomond notth- 
ward, the Ptarmigan inhabits the “region of stones” on the higher 
mountain-masses, especially in Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Inverness- 
shire, Ross, and Sutherland. In Ireland it is unknown. 
QQ 
