PTARMIGAN.
LAGOPVS MUTUB.
IT is -inly in the 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 uneoitaiiity attending the whereabouts
of the packs and their lengthened Bights, 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 when- heavy
bags may be obtained, l-'or 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 live or six, from which to select specimens, being the utmost ever killed, under even the must
favourable circumstances. The changes to which this hardy species is subject are remarkable: spring,
summer, autumn, and winter each tiud the Ptarmigan arrayed in a different dres-. Although birds
exhibiting many various stages may oecasior.ally he met with, the Plates show the usual plumage at the
seasons staled, and render a lengthened deseripti >f the changes unnecessary.
As previously stated, Ptarmigan-shooting, from the commencement to the end of the season, is, at best,
uncertain spurt. The birds are almost invariably unsuspicious of danger during line and still weather ; wind
and wet, however, usually render them unsettled, and, even under circumstances utterly- inconceivable, I
have found them as mi approach a hie as the wildest Grouse. Should their haunts he visited on a still day in
August or the beginning of September, the packs if the ground is carefully scanned, will be delected creeping
over the stunted herbage or running quietly among the adjoining grey and weather-beaten slabs of rock,
squatting occasionally if approached, hut 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 elfcct than causing them to
lie 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 he overlooked, so exactly does their plumage assimilate with the surrounding tints.
Ptarmigan proliubly have as strong a scent as ti rouse, though owing to the stony ualure of the ground,
or possibly some unknown cause, I remarked on one or two occasions tliat even the steadiest dogs in my
kennel were of but little service on the hill-top T. When the summits are covered with snow any animal but a
retriever is, of course, useless. Considering the length of time the poor beast may lie exposed to the chVcts