274 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



brown. These spots vary in size from minute pale specks to rich 

 irregular blotches occasionally as large as a pea. The small spots 

 are generally very numerous, but the larger blotches are few in 

 number and often entirely absent. The shell is minutely pitted 

 and possesses some gloss. The eggs vary in length from '2 1 to 

 1'9 inch, and in breadth from 145 to 1"38 inch. Their much 

 larger size, comparatively fewer markings, and buff instead of 

 purplish appearance effectually prevent them being confused with 

 those of the Red Grouse. They more resemble the eggs of the 

 Capercaillie, but are much smaller. 



THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



(Tetrao urogallus.) 

 Plate 59, Fig. 11. 



In the British Islands the Capercaillie, Capercailzie, or Wood 

 Grouse, as it is variously called, appears to be confined to a few 

 counties, such as Perth and Forfar, in Scotland, and the adjoining 

 districts. The range of this species is very similar to that of the 

 Black Grouse. In Scandinavia it extends as far north as lat. 70°; 

 and in Russia and Siberia as far east as the valley of the Yenisei 

 up to about lat. 67°. Where it has not been exterminated the 

 bird is an inhabitant of the pine regions of Europe, and is still 

 found as far south as the Spanish slopes of the Pyrenees and 

 throughout the Cantabrian chain. 



The Capercaillie does not make any nest, but merely scrapes a 

 hollow in the ground among the heather or bilberries in the forest, 

 collecting no lining, but merely arranging the bits of dry grass 

 that happen accidentally to be on the spot. 



Naumann, who no doubt obtained his information from the 

 German foresters, says that young hens seldom lay less than five 

 or more than eight eggs, but that older birds lay as many as eight 

 to twelve, and in rare instances fourteen or even sixteen. The 

 ground-colour is pale brownish-burl, spotted with reddish-brown ; 

 these spots are generally profusely distributed, and in size vary 

 from that of a pin's head to a mere speck. In exceptionally hand- 

 some eggs many of the spots approach the size of a pea, and some 

 of them are fantastically shaped, whilst clutches are occasionally 



