PTARMIGAN. 
o 
of my watch hooked to the hack of a chair, the hour was easily ascertained. Listening intently, the removal 
and setting down of heavy weights was distinctly audible helow-stairs ; next a stealthy footfall broke the 
silence : backwards and forwards, slowly and with cautious tread, the movements of the unknown could be 
traced. Tired and sleej)y, I was little inclined to investigate matters, though feeling convinced that house- 
breakers were at work. IMentally calculating the value of the articles on the ground-floor, I came to the 
conclusion that there was little worth stealing within their reach — certainly, I reflected, it was not worth spoiling 
my night’s rest with the possible inconvenience of being forced to bag a couple of burglars ! Assuring myself 
that the revolver was within grasp and in perfect working-order, in case the ruffians attempted to explore the 
upper legions, I turned ovei again and was speedily asleep. Troubled dreams, however, disturbed my repose, 
and Avith a start I was again aivake. The dying embers of the coals just then flickered up and revealed the 
fact that three quarters of an hour had elapsed since my watch was last consulted. The mysterious noises still 
continued; from the sound of the footsteps it was evident that the kitchen with its sanded floor was the spot 
vliere the miscieants were packing their plunder. At once a horrible thought flashed through my sleepy 
brain— supposing the villains carry off the guns, wdiat sliould avc do on the morrow^ ? This frightful idea 
caused immediate steps to be taken ; and in less than a minute I ivas up and prepared for action. Armed 
w ith a heavy revolver, w liicli ivas first minutely inspected, the foot of the stairs was reached wuth the slightest 
possible delay the step in the corner that invariably creaked having been successfully avoided. The lower 
regions Avere in utter darkness ; but a bright light gleamed through the space below the ill-fitting kitchen- 
door. It was certainly disappointing, after my expectations of surprising the midnight robbers, to be 
confronted by no one more terrible than a buxom Ilieland lassie, engaged in the homely occupation of baking 
scones ! Though someAvhat startled at the sudden intrusion, poor Maggie rapidly revived ; and I learned that 
the order given late the night before, for lunch to be prepared for fifty beaters, w'as unexpected, and the 
stock of bread being low', a supply of scones was necessary to make up deficiencies. The cook, being more 
addicted to hymn-tunes and strong drinks than hard work, had readily made over her share of the labour to 
the industrious Maggie, who was anxious to qualify herself for the place of the bibulous psalm-singer.” 
In 18G7 I made several visits during December to the Ptarmigan-ground, and procured as many 
specimens as were required in perfect winter plumage. One short extract from my notes will give an 
insight into a few more of the mishaps attending sport on the hill-tops : — i 
“ December 5. I Avas out looking at the weather soon after 3 a.m. ; hut the whole of the heavens beino- as 
black as pitch, could form no idea of what the day was to be. As all necessaries for our work had been 
prepared, and the men were ready with the game-bags loaded with supplies, I determined to make a start, and 
y 3.30 we w'ere off. The dogcart had been ordered the night before to drive to the foot of Cairn-orm * but I 
decided that it would be more prudent to proceed on foot. The night was so dark that it was utteidy impossible 
0 iscern the road; added to which, the narrow track ran for a mile or more cut into the face of the hill-side 
with a direct precipice down to the river, some fifty feet below. By the time we were a mile on our wav 
a reeze sprung up, and had greatly increased an hour later. On reaching the foot of the hill the sky 
was overcast, and it was impossible to ascertain whether the tops were free from mist. In some parts the peat- 
rac ' A\e folloAAed for the first mile or Iaa o up tlie mountain-side Avas simply a sheet of ice. At leno-th an old 
siea ing AAas reached wdiere a part of our provisions Avere left, in order to lighten the load and insure a 
supply on the homeward journey. On leaving the track and making for the tops, our chief difficulty consisted 
in 'eepmg the whole of the gillies together while climbing over the rough ground; OAving to the darkness 
a man was invisible at the distance of four or five j ards, while the howling of the wind prevented a call bein- 
The first streak of light appeared in the east while halting to rest in a small hollow, about half a 
* A hill on the north side of Glenlyon. 
