ITAR.MTGAN. 
3 
might be given ; but they are almost repetitions of tlie facts related above. The birds at these seasons were, 
for the most part, as tame as chickens, though occasionally unapproachable, and at times crossing the 
valleys to the neighbouring hill-tops. It appears a common occurrence for one or possibly two birds to be 
left behind when the pack take wing ; these, if unmolested, will continue running and turning from time 
to time, with but slight signs of alarm, to watch the intruders on their haunts. 
On the approach of winter, Ptarmigan show a considerable addition to the white on the plumage, though 
it is only the oldest birds that assume the pure white dress so early as the end of the shooting-season. The 
young occasionally retain several grey feathers in their plumage a month or even six weeks later ; and, 
judging by my oun experience, it is probable that some of the more backAvard birds do not become thoroughly 
white till their second winter. This change is not a moult; the AA’hite appears first at the point of the 
feathers, and then gradually spreads doAA'n to the root or quill. I have now and then killed Ptarmigan Av^hich, 
at the first glance, appeared perfectly Avhite, but on being more closely examined shoAved several stains or 
lightly marked blotches on their plumage ; on turning back the feathers it was obvious that a feAV Avere still 
half grey ; and their darker side shoAA'ing dimly through the pure AA'hite covering of the adjoining or 
overlapping feathei’s, imparted the stained appearanee to their otherwise spotless plumage. 
Ptaimigan-shooting in December is a A^ery different sport to the slaughter of the innocents in August. 
The hills have noAv put on their Avuntcr covering of snoAV and ice, and a good bag of Avhite Grouse is seldom 
made AAithout considerable risk. It is a matter of small importance to be lost all night on a Ptarmigan-hill 
during the summer months ; but to miss one’s Avay on a Avinter’s evening, Avith a snow-storm coming on, might 
possibly be attended Avith serious consequences. In order to avoid such mishaps, I found it the safest plan, 
AAlien making an expedition after these birds, to leaA''e the lodge by 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning, and so 
reaching the high ground about 8 a.m. (Avhich AA^as as early as it AA^as jiossible to commence shooting), I was 
enabled to get four or five hours’ sport, and then liaA'e the advantage of daylight for the roughest part of the 
homeward journey. Prequently, after scrambling uphill in the dark, it AA^as discoA^ered, on arriving at the 
spot AAhere aa'o expected to meet Avith the birds, that the AAdiole of the summits Avere enveloped in cloud and 
mist. IJndei such circumstances, all sport, of course, being out of the question, it only remained to beat 
a speedy retreat and hope for more propitious AA'eather on the next attempt. 
A few of the vicissitudes attending the pursuit of Ptarmigan in AAunter Avill be seen by an extract from 
my notes for 18G5 : — 
“ December 7. It AA^as Avell on toAA^ards mid-day before Ave reached the top of the hill, and on approaching 
the summit it Av^as evident that all the surrounding ranges Avere enveloped in mist, Avhich A\'as gradually 
advancing from the north-east. An immediate start in search of birds Avas consequently made, in liojies of 
obtaining a brace or tAV'o before the mist compelled us to desist. Porming at once in line (tAAm keepers, two 
gillies, and myself), so as just to keep one another in sight, Ave made the best of our Avay round the face 
of the hill. The surface of the snow being hard and frozen, Ave Avere able to advance at some speed, though 
of eourse Avalking on the slopes was risky. On reaching a large patch of broken stones on the noiUh 
side of the hill, perhaps a A\’ee bit over the march (but the mist Avas so thick it was impossible to tell our 
^A hereabouts Avitli any certainty), the croak of a Ptarmigan was heard; and on stopping the line and looking 
round, I soon made out a white head over some large blocks of stone. Almost immediately it aa^s detected 
the bird dashed downhill, though just too late to escape, and, falling dead, rolled to the foot of the rocks. On 
being recovered it proved to be a young cock, the plumage still exhibiting a large amount of grey among the 
white feathers. After passing two or three ugly spots, where the line was forced to open right and left, we 
started seAeral biids, Avhicli Avere lost sight of in the mist before there AA as an opportunity of firing a shot. 
At length, during a slight break in the clouds, as the mist Avas someAvdiat less dense, a drive Avas attempted. 
Taking my station on a ridge on the east side of the hill, the men Avere despatched right round. One bird 
