PTARMIGAN. 
LAGOPUS MVTUS. 
It is only in tlio mountainous districts of the Highlands and a few of the "Western Islands that the Ptarmigan 
is to he met with ; if formerly a native of other parts of Great Britain, the last survivors have long been 
banished. 
The high ranges usually frequented by this species, as well as the rough nature of the ground itself, 
render Ptarmigan-shooting a somewhat laborious undertaking. The uncertainty attending the whereabouts 
of the packs and their lengthened flights, at times from one hill-top to another, tend also to increase 
the work *. With the exception of two or three favoured localities, I am not aware of any beats where heavy 
bags may be obtained. Por my own part, being more intent on gaining an insight into their habits and 
watching their movements when undisturbed, I never attempted to procure any number— a few brace, 
perhaps five or six, from which to select specimens, being the utmost ever killed, under even the most 
favourable circumstances. The changes to which this hardy species is subject are remarkable : spring, 
summer, autumn, and winter each find the Ptarmigan arrayed in a different dress. Although birds 
exhibiting many various stages may occasionally bo met wTtli, the Plates show the usual plumage at the 
seasons stated, and render a lengthened description of the changes unnecessary. 
As previously stated. Ptarmigan-shooting, from the commencement to the end of the season, is, at best, 
uncertain sport. The birds are almost invariably unsuspicious of danger during fine and still weather ; wind 
and wet, however, usually render them unsettled, and, even under circumstances utterly inconceivable, I 
have found them as unapproachable as the wildest Grouse. Should their haunts be visited on a still day’ in 
August or the beginning of September, the packs, if the ground is carefully scanned, will be detected creeping 
over the stunted herbage or running quietly among tlie adjoining grey and weather-beaten slabs of rock! 
squatting occasionally if approached, but taking little more notice of the intruder than barn-door fowls ; even 
a shot within the distance of a few yards will frequently have no greater effect than causing them to 
he closer. To make a heavy bag under such circumstances could scarcely be considered satisfactory by 
sportsmen. The call of the Ptarmigan is a low croak ; unless the attention is attracted by the note, packs 
may often be overlooked, so exactly does their ifiumage assimilate with tlie surrounding tints. 
Ptarmigan probably have as strong a scent as Grouse, though owing to the stony nature of the ground, 
or possibly some unknown cause, I remarked on one or two occasions that even the steadiest dogs'" in my 
kennel were of but little service on the hill-top f. MTien the summits are covered with snow any animal but a 
retriever is, of course, useless. Considering the length of time the poor beast may be exposed to the effects 
* Where but one or two packs resort to a hiU-top long flights are far more frequent. The birds, on being disturbed, appear to seek for 
company, dropping almost instantly should a few scattered individuals be passed over, but continuing at times on wing till the summit of somo 
adjoining mountain is gained. 
t Blue hares, of course, were common ; but being also abundant on the Grouse-moors, they were utterly ignored b}- tbe brace of setters referred to 
