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4 



now in Sir W. Jardine's collection), and when the orange-yellow plumage was remarked, the 

 bird being ' smaller than the usual average size of the common Ptarmigan' (Selby) and there- 

 fore doubtless one of the said higher-ranging birds, it was erroneously referred to Lagopus 

 rupestris. In my cabinet is one of these small birds, shot upon precisely the same ground where 

 Mr. Selby's specimen was obtained ; but, unlike his, it is in almost pure winter dress ; laid beside 

 another killed lower down on the same day (but which last is in almost perfect autumn or grey 

 plumage), it looks quite a pigmy. 



" In Norway, as soon as the snow melts and leaves bare the little rising grounds or knolls on 

 the high fjelds above the birch-belts, the Ptarmigan, or 'Fjeld-rype,' begins to lay its handsome 

 eggs in a little hollow scraped in the reindeer-moss, or partially concealed and sheltered by a low 

 bush of the dwarf birch (Betula nana) ; in Scotland the end of May and beginning of June is the 

 usual time chosen by them for breeding. In Scotland the nest is almost invariably partially 

 sheltered from the prevailing wind by being placed close under the lee of a rock or lichen-covered 

 stone. The number of eggs is usually from six to nine or ten ; but sometimes more are laid. 



"To ensure success in shooting Ptarmigan in the season, a certain amount of knowledge of 

 their habits, and also of the ground they frequent, is necessary. Note should be taken of the 

 direction of the wind, as they are almost if not quite as much influenced in the choice of their 

 ground for the day as deer are by the changes in wind and weather. Bags of ten, fifteen, and 

 even twenty brace may be made in the season in good localities by one who knows the ground 

 and who knows also how to choose his day or days." 



It occurs throughout Scandinavia in the more elevated districts; Mr. P. Collett says that 

 " it breeds commonly on the fells, above the tree-growth, in all districts up to the Russian 

 frontier, and is numerous on the Dovre- and Langfjeld down to Norefjeld, in Krydsherred and 

 Hekfjeld, in 58J° N. lat. In the winter it visits the western districts in small numbers, but 

 seldom, if ever, occurs in the southern lowlands." In Finland, according to Dr. Palmen (Finl. 

 Fogl. ii. p. 44), "it inhabits only the northern districts, and is common on the fells bordering 

 the Arctic Ocean, and at Enontekis, but rare at Muonioniska, Olostunturi, and Pallastunturi ; 

 Middendorff says that it is rarer on the eastern side of the Lapland peninsula, but it is found in 

 very small numbers at Triostrow. In the wooded south-western portion it occur* only on the 

 fell-tops, as, for instance, near the Imandra lake ; but we cannot say whether it occurs on the 

 Kuusamo Fell or not. Mr. E. Grape says that occasionally, during severe cold, flocks have come 

 down even to Haaparanta, but this is now seldom the case." Mr. Sabanaefi' informs me that he 

 found it common in the Pavdinsk Ural, in Russia, but it is rare in the Kaslinsk and Ufalinsk 

 Ural; Hoffmann met with it between 61° and 66° N. lat. 



It appears only to occur elsewhere in Europe in the Alps and Pyrenees, not being, so far 

 as I can ascertain, met with in any other portion of Europe. Lord Lilford tells me, " a 

 few Ptarmigan are to be met with on the high Pyrenees of Aragon and Catalonia, and I am 

 informed on good authority that this species is not uncommon on the high ranges of Asturias 

 and Leon. We met with this bird near the Col de Tenda, in the Maritime Alps, and again on 

 the Italian side of the Alps, in the neighbourhood of Cresole and Aosta, where it appeared 

 moderately common." Baron J. W. von Miiller (J. f. O. 1859, p. 75) says that he "found it in 

 the Alps at Kasten, Kamor, Ebenalp, Schafler, Mossmer, &c, and that it appears to inhabit all 



