186 GROUSE. 



Nest. — A hollow scraped in the ground, with a 

 few stalks for lining. 



The Ptarmigan is an inhabitant of the stony flats 

 on the Scotch mountain-tops, unique in winter as an 

 all but entirely white land-bird ; and, though subject 

 to considerable obscuration at other times, still unique 

 among ground game-birds by reason of its white 

 wings and white under parts. It nests on the ground, 

 is a swift runner, and an adept at clapping down 

 among the stones to hide. Taking wing only when 

 flushed by imminent danger, it springs up with sudden 

 whir of its violently beating wings, pelts dead-ahead 

 in swift, if laborious, flight, and skims on arched 

 wings as it glides to earth to run forward into hiding 

 again. 



