BIRDS. 
203 
were shot by Mr. Shearer, and several other young ones 
were caught by hand (0. MSS., 1868). 
257. Ortyx virginianus {L.). Virginian Colin. 
Family TETRAONID^. 
258. Lagopus mutus, ieac/i. Ptarmigan. 
Eesident; much scarcer than formerly in the east. Has 
disappeared from all the hills it used to inhabit on the 
Caithness march ; also from the Bens Griam and Ben 
Uarie, within the last forty or fifty years, from the last- 
named place last of all ; getting much scarcer, too, on Ben 
Arniine, and even on Ben Clibrick. During the severe 
winter of 1880-81 three ptarmigan were seen not far from 
Ben Horn in the Dunrobin forest. We have the note of a 
nest of ptarmigan's eggs, taken on Ben Clibrick on 23d May 
1849 by Mr. Hancock. [We consider it always desirable 
to fix a date, although of course ptarmigan are still not 
uncommon on Ben Clibrick.] It is difficult to understand 
why this species should be so steadily on the decrease in 
many localities in Scotland, and has actually become extinct 
in others. 
Abundant in the west, and all the high mountains, but 
more so on the continuous ranges than on the isolated hills. 
The range of Glasbhein, Ben Uidhe, Ben Harran (Chaoran), 
Ben More, and Braebeg, is perhaps the best ptarmigan range 
in the county. 
Writing in 1867, Mr. Osborne observes that the "white 
grouse " is not an uncommon species on the hills which form 
the southern boundary of the county, the Scarabhen, 
Morven, etc. (0. MSS., 1868). 
Mr. L. Dunbar marks it as not numerous on Morven, 
there being only a few pairs ; he has preserved several 
from that district. It is included in the collection at 
Welbeck Abbey. 
