1 . 
ITAll^riGAN. 
only could I clearly discern, though several others passed in the haze. Being uncertain whether the shot had 
taken effect, we searched the direction which the bird had followed, and found him, at once, perfectly dead 
with the wings spread out, on an open patch of ground from wdiicli the snow had drifted. While again 
going round the hill, some birds were heard croaking a hundred yards or so in front of the line. On making 
tow'ards the sound, intently examining the outline of the snow to obtain an early view of the pack, a laro'e 
sheet of ice was overlooked, and, my feet slipping, away I went downhill. Luckily there was a drift of 
newly fallen snow (soft as a feather-hed) about tw'enty feet below, and into this I pitched quite easily, none 
the worse, not even a shake. Ilad it not been for the snow, I must have gone over one hundred feet to the 
bottom of a steep gully. The birds wmre started by a couple of the men descending the slope to ascertain 
if any damage had resulted from the fall. One of the pack, however, a fine old cock, settled again directly, 
and I was able to crawl wuthin range before he rose. This bird and the last were adult males in the most 
perfect w inter plumage. 
“ It wms now nearly dark, and time to be leaving the hill, so the keeper called the men together. As two 
of them were not forthcoming and had not been seen for over an hour, I fired several shots, without, how’ever, 
the slightest result. The three of us that wove left then turned back and w'cnt round the hill, hut though firing 
again and calling repeatedly, could gain no tidings of them. While going round this time I killed one 
more bird, a female that had half assumed the winter dress. When the circuit of the hill-top had been 
accomplislied, darkness had set in, and it appeared probable that the two men, having missed us, had left the 
hill and proceeded homewards in advance. As a last resource I fired a few more shots, and w^e then started 
downhill, finding no little difficulty in picking our way, owing to the uncertain light and extent of the 
tracts of frozen snow^ Luckily our pace was slow% as after proceeding about a couple of hundred yards, a 
faint cry some distance to the north wms audible during one of our halts. After answering and waiting a few 
minutes, the men came up. Both were nearly beat ; but a pull at the “ Doctor ” * and a few mouthfuls of 
food soon revived them. We learned that, Avhile holding the two lower stations on the line, the poor fellows 
had been going round the east side of the hill, cutting their w’ay as best they could through a frozen snow-- 
drift, till at last it was discovered impossible to proceed further ; and on turning back they found, to their 
dismay, that some fresh snow had fallen over the tracks previously cut; consequently, owing to the mist and 
gloom, they w-ere in a decidedly critical position. However, after about an hour’s careful work they had 
succeeded in cutting their W'ay to the top of the drift, and on reaching the hard ground on the highest part 
of the hill had w-andered about, searching for the remainder of the party, till, having missed their way, they 
were utterly at a loss wliich direction to take. It W'as lucky the shouts were heard, as, w’eary and benumbed 
by cold, they W'ere utterly incapable of reaching shelter, even if aw'are of the line to be follow ed. A heavy 
fall of snow commencing as w-e at last took leave of the mountain-top, it is unlikely that any tidings would 
have been learned concerning their fate till the snow'S had melted from the hills in the following summer.” 
In I860, though frequently shooting on the hill-tops, I did not attempt to obtain specimens of white 
Ptarmigan, a few brace only being bagged during hare-beats. The observations recorded in my notes for 
this season may be passed over without reference, as they contain no facts concerning their habits or actions 
that can throw further light on the history of these interesting birds. 
A somewliat ludicrous mistake, which occurred one night in November 18GG, was brought about by the 
preparations occasionally necessary Avhen large numbers of beaters are employed. A few' lines from my notes 
may prove a w-arning to the tenants of shooting-lodges in remote districts : — 
“ Having decided on a hare-beat and Ptarmigan-drive for the following day, I turned in early, intending 
to be up and off betimes. My night’s rest is seldom disturbed ; but shortly before 1 a.m. I w-oke up with 
the conviction that something was wrong. The fire burned low in the grate ; but the light falling on the face 
* Whisky is commonly known as the “ Ilill Doctor.” 
