A PET PTARMIGAN.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sia,—The article in this week's Spectator on hand-reared grouse—in which reference is made to the possibilities of grouse as pets—leads me to think some of your readers may be interested to hear of my pet cock ptarmigan (Lagopus rupestris) which I have had in captivity here for upwards of two years past. This bird is absolutely tame and runs after his keeper for food like a dog.
The hen bird I lost rather suddenly last year after she had nested and laid fourteen eggs. I gave the cock ptarmigan a willow-grouse as a mate rather late this spring, and the birds became almost at once on the most friendly terms, though no nest was made. This cock ptarmigan (like cock grouse) is exceedingly fierce in the spring, and will rush along distance to drive off any intruder that may approach his enclosure. I have known him on various occasions hurl himself violently against the wire-netting to attack a crane, a blackcock, or a pheasant that was blamelessly strolling outside. The attack is always accompanied by a spread tail and loud croaks of defiance.
The intense heat of the past summer did not appear to distress the ptarmigan in the least, and he is now changing into his white plumage ready for winter.—I am, Sir, &c., " BEEBEES."
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