PTARMIGAN. 55 



then you may very easily be disappointed in obtaining the game you seek; and even if 

 you do succeed to your heart's content, your game is very inferior in size and flavour 

 to the Red Grouse, which you might have procured with half the labour. If, however, 

 you seek the Ptarmigan, as a naturalist, you are without doubt amply rewarded for your 

 trouble, by adding to your knowledge of the habits and instincts of these birds, as exhibited 

 in the wild and rugged places which possess such powerful attractions for them, and which 

 they never voluntarily leave. 



Like the Eed Grouse, the Ptarmigan is monogamous, and. the packs break up early 

 in the spring, when pairing takes place, and the couples distribute themselves in situations 

 suitable for their purpose. 



The note of the Ptarmigan is, according to Macgillivray, like the cry of a frog; but 

 it has been compared to the harsh note of the Missel Thrush or Storm Cock. 



The food of the Ptarmigan consists of nearly the same substances as that of the Eed 

 Grouse, such as the small and tender tops of the various alpine plants before named, 

 berries, and probably insects. The gizzard always contains numerous small stones, which 

 assist it in grinding up the food into a nutritious mass. 



During the winter, while the "frost is on the plain," their mountain homes are neces- 

 sarily exposed to a double portion of cold, and the small streams become frozen into 

 solid ice: on these occasions the Ptarmigan uses snow instead of water to quench its 

 thirst : and it is said that so fond are they of this article of diet, that even in summer 

 time they endeavour to obtain it whenever practicable. 



The terms used by sportsmen when speaking of Ptarmigan are the same as those 

 applied to Grouse. 



The time of shooting is also the same. 



The following account of Ptarmigan shooting, by Mr. C. St. John, gives a good idea 

 of the pleasures and dangers attending the pursuit of Ptarmigans when snow is on the 

 ground. Accompanied by a shepherd who knew every inch of the ground they were 

 going to try, Mr. St. John before sunrise leaves the hut where he had passed the night : — 

 "The sun was not up as we crossed the river on the stepping-stones which the shepherd 

 had placed for that purpose, but very soon the mountain tops were gilded by its rays, 

 and before long it was shining brightly on our backs as we toiled up the steep hill 

 side. My companion, who knew exactly which was the easiest line to take, led the 

 way; deeply covered with snow as the ground was, I should without his guidance have 

 found it impossible to make my way up to the heights to which we were bound. "I 'm 

 no just liking the look of the day either, Sir," was his remark, "but still I think it 

 will hold up till near nicht; we should be in a bonny pass if it came on to drift while 

 we were up yonder." "A bonny pass indeed!" was my inward ejaculation. However, 

 depending on his skill in the weather, and not expecting myself that any change would 



