430 THJ; FEATHEKED TRIBES. 



" It is true that, once in a while, an odd brace of li\'ing capercali liave been brought 

 over to England from Scandinavia, though, from some cause or other, and nothing more 

 likely than over or improper feeding, these, in general, have soon xierished. The exjaeri- 

 mcnt, however, to have a probability of success, should be made with a more considerable 

 number of birds ; and then not intrusted to an ignorant person, but to one fully conversant 

 with their habits. 



" This I recommended some years ago to the present Duke of Gordon, to Avhom I am 

 under some obligation. His grace, however, declined acting upon my suggestion, oh the 

 ground of there being too little 'wood in the part of (Scotland where his estates are 

 situated. Had this plan been adoj^ted at the period I speak of, it is not improbable but 

 that at the present time there might have been a sprinkling of these noble birds in the 

 Highlands. 



" The capercali is often domesticated in Sweden ; indeed, at bbth Uddeholm and 

 Eesiiter, as well as in other places, I have known those birds to be kept for a long period 

 in aviaries built for the purpose. These were so perfectly tame as to feed out of the 

 hand. Tlieir food principally consisted of oats and of the leaves of the Scotch fir, large 

 branches of which were usually introduced into their cages once or more in the course of 

 the week. They were also supplied with abundance of native berries, when procurable. 

 They were amply provided at all times with water and sand, the latter of Which was of a 

 rather coarse quality, and both were changed pretty frequently. 



"■ It has been asserted that the capercali will not breed when in a state of domestication ; 

 this, however, is altogether a mistake, as repeated experience has proved to the contrarj-. 

 Indeed, a few years ago, I procured a brace of those birds, consisting of a cock and hen, 

 for a friend of mine in Norfolk. After a lapse of a few months, the hen laid six eggs, 

 and from these, in process of time, six capercali were produced. The chicks lived until 

 the)' had attained to a very considerable size, when, owing, as it was supposed, to the 

 effects of a burning sun, to which they had been incautiously exposed, the whole of them, 

 together with the mother, died. On this mishap, the old cock, the onty survivor, was 

 turned loose into the game preserves, where he remained in a thriving condition, for 

 about a year and a half. At last, however, he also met his doom, though this was 

 supposed to be owing rather to accidental than natural causes." 



Mr. Nilsson thus alludes to some birds which were at a I'orge in the pro\incc of 

 Dalccailia, " They were kept together during the winter in a large loft over a barn, and 

 were fed with corn, and got occasionally a change of fresh spruce, fir, pine, and juniper 

 sprigs. Early in the spring, they were let out into an inclosure near the house, protected 

 by a high and close fence, in which were several firs and pines, the common trees of the 

 place. In this inclosure they were never disturbed ; and during the sitting season no one 

 approached, except the peison who laid in the meat, wliich at that time consisted of 

 barley, besides fresh sprigs of the kinds before mentioned. It is an indispensable rule 

 that they shall have full libertj-, and remain entirety inidisturbed, if the hens are to sit 

 and hatch their young. As soon as this had occurred, and the brood were out, they were 

 remo\ed to the yard, which was also i'oomj% and so closelj' I'enced that the young ones 

 could not escape through ; and within this fence were hedges and a nun\ber of bushes 

 planted. Of the old ones, one of the wings was always clii^ped, to jjrevent their flying. 

 T have seen several times such broods both of black game and capercali, eight to twelve 

 younn- ones belonging to each hen. They were so tame, that, lil<e our common hens, 

 ihey would run forward when corn was thrown to (h.-m. I'licy should always luive a good 

 supply of sand and fresh water." 



Regarding the rearing of young capercali, ]\lr. Giielf nuikes the following remarks : — 

 "The eggs, usually so called, to be found iii anl-hills and stubble, arc to be gathered ; hard- 

 boiled eggs are to be chopped and mixed amongst fine moistened baidey-meal ; also i)oa- 



