the Capercailzie to the Forest ofBraemar. 161 



ther with sprigs of the common heath, appeared to Iiave been 

 swallowed in considerable quantity. The gizzard was extremely 

 strong and muscular, and contained a large mass of pebbles in- 

 termixed with the macerated food*. Many other alpine and 

 woodland plants, no doubt, minister to its wants, and, in com- 

 mon with the rest of its order, insects of various kinds may be 

 presumed to be sought after, especially by the young. 



These birds are of polygamous habits, and consequently do 

 not pair. During the breeding season, which commences as 

 soon as the buds begin to expand, and continues throughout 

 the rapid northern spring till the forests are clothed in their 

 freshest green, the male is frequently seen perched on some tall 

 pine, where he moves backwards and forwards, uttering at the 

 same time a peculiar cry, which seems to attract the neighbour- 

 ing females. His head, on these occasions, is red and swollen ; 

 his wings dependent, and his neck extended. His cry is said to 

 commence with a loud explosion, which is followed by a noise 

 like that of the whetting of a scythe. This is heard at a great 

 distance, and, as soon as the females are collected around the 

 tree, the male descends from his ^' high estate,*" and joins their 

 company-f*. 



The last capeixiailzie recorded to have been killed in Scotland, 

 was shot, about fifty years ago, near Inverness. For a consi- 

 derable time anterior to that period, it had been of extremely 

 rare occurrence, and, although a solitary remnant of the ancient 

 stock may have contrived to maintain a precarious existence for 

 a few succeeding years in some obscure recess of the umbrageous 

 forests of Braemar or Rothiemurchus, it can scarcely be doubted 

 that the species, ere long, ceased to exist as indigenous to Bri- 

 tain. It was known to have been extirpated from Ireland at a 

 considerably earlier period. 



When we consider the great size and beauty of this species of 

 game, and its value as an article of food, we need not wonder 

 that various attempts have been made to naturalize it for the 

 second time in Scotland. I shall confine my present notice to 

 the individuals which I have myself had an opportunity of ob- 

 serving. 



* Supplement to the Ornithological Dictionary, 

 f Journal Economique, April 1753. 



VOL, XIII. NO. XXV. — JULY 1832. L 



