PTARMIGANS. 181 
habit of theirs is fatal to shooting over dogs, as it would 
spoil the staunchest pointers or setters in the world, for 
when the latter see that they will not stand a point, they 
become so angry that they rush into the burrows and 
drag out the birds more dead than alive. All the threats 
and shouts and whippings that a man can hurl at or give 
the animals for their irregular conduct will not deter 
them from repeating it, as they become so exasperated 
at being unable to wind the birds or to make them lie 
to a point, that they forget prudence and education in 
their eagerness to be successful in their work. The cold 
dry air of the mountains also impairs their scenting 
power, and makes them nervous and irritable; hence, 
high-mettled animals should never be employed for pur- 
suing the birds in winter. 
Ptarmigans are in a continual moult throughout the 
summer, and this gives them anything but a pleasing 
appearance, as no two seem to be of the same color; 
but they are in such full plumage in September that’ 
they look larger than they actually are, owing to the 
density of the feathers. They lie fairly well to a dog 
up to the first of November, and, when flushed, fiy 
straight ahead for a few yards, then alight, and com- 
mence feeding or watching until they are bagged or 
routed again. They are easily flushed in windy weather, 
and as they rise at long distances, they afford good 
sport to those who like strong wing shooting. They 
are not worth seeking in winter, unless a man is fond 
of the terebinthine taste which their flesh acquires 
after they have lived some time on the buds of conifer- 
ous trees. The best months for shooting them are 
from August to November, as their meat is then fat, 
sweet, and succulent, their food being mainly com- 
posed of insects and berries. Dogs are necessary for 
findmg them during this time, as they hug the ground 
so closely that it is very difficult to see them, and 
