only could I dourly discern, though several others passed iu the haze. Being uncertain whether the shot had
taken offset, WS searched the direction which the bird had followed, and round him, at once, perfectly dead,
with the wings spread out, on an open patch of ground from which the snow had drifted. While again
going round the hill, some birds were heard crocking a hundred yards or so in front of the line. On making
lownrds the sound, intently examining the outline of the snow to obtain an early view of the pack, a large
sheet of ice was overlooked, and, my feet slipping, away I went downhill. Luckily there was a drift of
newly fallen snow (soil ns a feather-bed) about twenty feet below, and into this I pitched quite easily, nonethe
worse, not even n shako. Had it not been for the snow, I must have gone over one hundred feet to the
bottom of a steep gully. The birds were 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,
nnd I was able to crawl within range before he rose. This bird and the last were adult mnles in the most
perfect winter plumage.
" It was now nearly dark, and time to bo leaving the hill, so the keeper called the men together. As two
of them wen' not forthcoming nnd bad not been seen for over an hour, I llred several shots, without, however,
the slightest result. The three of us that were left then turned back and wont round the hill, but though tiring
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 tin- winter dress. When the circuit of the hill-top had been
accomplished, 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 1 fired a few more shots, and we then started
downhill, (lading no little difficulty in picking our way, owing to the uncertain light and extent of the
trnets of frozen snow. Luckily our pan; was slow, as after proceeding about a couple of hundred yards, a
faint cry some distance to the north was audible daring one of our halts. After answering and waiting a few
mi nil tea, the men came up. Both were nearly heat; but a pull at the " Doctor " * and a few mouthfuls of
food soon revived them. We learned that, while holding the two lower stations on the lino, the poor fellows
had been going round the cast side of the hilt, cutting their way SS best they could through a frozen snowdrift,
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 were in a decidedly critical position. However, after about an hour's careful work they had
succeeded in cutting their way to the top of the drift, and on reaching the hard ground on the highest part
or the hill had wandered alnut, searching for the remainder of the party, tilt, having missed their way, they
were utterly at a loss which direction to take. It was lucky the shouts were heard, as, weary and benumbed
by cold, they were utterly incapable of reaching shelter, even if aware or the lino to bo followed. A heavy
fall of snow commencing as we at last took leave of the mountain-lop. it is unlikely that any tidings would
have been learned concerning their fate till the snows bad melted from the hills in the following summer."
In 1900, though frequently shooting on the hill-tops, I did not attempt to obtain specimens of white
Ftarmignn, 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 binls.
A somewhat ludicrous mistake, which occurred one night in November lSllli, was brought about by the
prepnrations occasionally necessary when large numbers of beaters are employed. A few lines from my notes
may prove a warning to the tenants of shooting-lodgos iu remote districts:—
" Having decided on a hare-beat anil 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.it. I woke up with
the conviction that something was wrong. The fire burned low in the grate; but the light falling on the face
• Whi.kv k com manly known • Iho " Hill Mm*
PTARMIGAN.
of my watch hooked to the back 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 nnd forward-, slowly and with cautious tread, the movements of the unknown could be
traced. Tired and sleepy, I was little inclined to investigate matters, though feeling convinced thai housebreakers
were at work. Mentally calculating the value of the articles on the ground-floor, I cams to the
conclusion (hat there was little worth stealing within their reach—certainly, I reflected, it was not north spoiling
my night's rest with the possible inconvenience of being foi-oeil to bag a couple of burglars ! Assuring myself
that the revolver was within grasp and in perfect working-order, iu ease the ruffians attempted to explore the
upper regions, I turned over again anil was speedily asleep. Troubled dreams, li merer, disturbed my repose,
and with a start 1 was again awake. The dying embers of the coals just then flickered up and revealed the
fact that throe quarters of an hour had elapsed since my watch was lasl consulted. The mysterious noises slill
( li 'il ; from the sound of the footsteps il was ei idenl (hut the kitchen with its sanded Ihior was Iho spot
where the miscreants were packing their plunder. At once a horrible thought flashed through my sleepy
brain—supposing the villains carry off the guns, what should we do on the morrow? This frightful idea
caused immediate steps to he taken ; and in less than a minute I was up and prepared for action. Armed
with a heavy revolver, which was first minutely inspected, the foot of the stairs was reached with flic slightest
possible delay—the step in the corner that invariably creaked having been successfully avoided. The lower
regions were in utter darkness; but a bright light gleamed through the space below the ill-filling kitchendoor.
It was certainly disappointing, after my expectations of surprising the midnight robbers, to he
confronted by no one more terrible than a buxom Hielaud lassie, engaged in lie- homely occupation of baking
scones I Though somewhat 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 heaters, was unexpected, nnd the
stock of bread being low, a supply of scones was necessary to make up dctieieucios. The cook, being more
addicted to hymn-tunes and strong drinks 1 ban 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 1SG7 I made several visits during December to the Ptarmigan-ground, and procured as many
specimens as were required iu perfect winter plumage. One short extract from my notes will give an
insight into a few more of ibe mishaps attending spurt on the hill-tops:—
" December 5. I was out looking at the weather soon after 3 A.M. ; but the whole of the heavens being 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 lo make a start, and
by 3.30 we were off. The dogcart had been ordered the night before to drive to the foot of Cairngorm *, hut I
decided that it would be more prudent to proceed on foot. The night was so dark that it was utterly impossible
to discern the road; added to which, the narrow track ran for a utile 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 n mile on our way
a breeze sprung up, and had greatly increased an hour later. On reaching the foot of the hill the skiwas
overcast, and it was impossible to ascertain w hot her the tops wore free from mist. In some parls the peattrack
we followed for the lirst mile or two up the niouiilaiu-sids was simply a shoot of ioe. At length an old
shoaling was reached where n part of our provisions were loft, 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 keeping the whole of the gillies to gel her a bile climbing OUT (he rough ground ; mi ing lo the darkness,
a man was invisible at the distance of four or live itirds, while the howling of the wind prevented a call being
"The first slreak of light appeared in the cast while halting lo rest in a small hollow, about hah a
* A hill on the uo-lli side of Glonljoa.