MORE ABOUT GAME-BIRDS. 103 



is accidentally walked into, causing them to rise 

 from the scattered grey stones in all directions, the 

 birds themselves will not be seen. In winter, when 

 the rocks are covered with snow, the ptarmigan's 

 plumage is pure and white as the snow itself, and 

 thus the gentle bird is in a great measure protected 

 from its natural enemies, the eagle, the raven, and 

 the mountain-fox. 



No bird with which I am acquainted sits closer on 

 its nest than does the mountain-grouse. Those who, 

 after most diligent search for their nests, have at last 

 been successful, have had very ludicrous experiences 

 of their close sitting. 



The so-called ptarmigan that are exposed for sale 

 in such large quantities are not the real ptarmigan, 

 although they are white in plumage. They are nor- 

 thern willow-grouse in winter plumage. It is doubt- 

 ful if any of our true Scottish ptarmigan come into 

 the English markets ; for the pursuit of them is so 

 arduous, and in winter so dangerous, that a case of 

 ptarmigan which have fallen to the sportsman's own 

 gun are highly valued trophies. 



This bird, in consequence of the nature of his 



