- ptarmigan Lagopus mutus. This bird of the grouse family inhabits the northern parts of Scotland. It turns white in winter. While familiar to hillwalkers, it is rarely seen by less energetic bird watchers. Fortunately, it no longer appears on dinner tables although the prices given in the Edinburgh Burgh Records of 1668 suggest it was a luxury dish then:
Tabell of the vivers [foodstuffs] in the pultrie mercat... the best termigant, 5 s.; drest, 6 s. 8 d.