184 
WILD NORWAY. 
of travel. Sitting in the cariole, it was amusing enough 
to see six or eight blackcocks and grey-hens crowded 
into a little Scotch fir within fifteen yards, and all 
intently gazing downwards at the baying hound beneath; 
while Bengt and Johannes manoeuvred behind the 
adjoining trees till they got the greatest number in line. 
Another point in favour of the capercaillie I should 
not forget. In September, when feeding on the moun¬ 
tain-berries, he is splendid eating; and I consider that 
even the old caper-cock—tough as he is, or is supposed 
to be—has then a delicate and delicious flavour that is 
not surpassed by any other game-bird. But he must 
be skinned first, and wants a lot of cooking after that— 
I refer to old cocks. On one occasion, having killed 
an elk betimes, I was back in camp before noon, and 
soon afterwards committed an aged tjur to the pot. 
All the afternoon he simmered and stewed. My com¬ 
panion did not turn up till past eight, and we dined 
about nine. That bird was simply magnificent; we 
remember his flavour to this day, and he was tender, too. 
III. Specific Notes on Grouse and Ptarmigan. 
Ptarmigan .—The Scottish and Norwegian races of 
this bird are identical, though slight local variations 
occur, tending towards a generally darker summer 
plumage in the southern parts of their range. Some 
examples from South Norway are almost black in breast 
and back—a phase I have never seen in Lapland speci¬ 
mens ; while the Icelandic form is lighter still, showing 
no trace of black whatever. 
The latter (Lagopus rupestris) I have not seen in 
