152 HILL BIRDS OF SCOTLAND 



terious marauder gradually removed all the eggs from a 

 nest, in S])ite of the fact that the bird was in possession. 



It would indeed seem that in all birds which arc poly- 

 gamous in their habits the parental instinct is not so firmly 

 planted as in those which remain constant to one mate 

 throughout the nesting season. During the pairing season 

 the Capercaillies hold a kind of " Lek " or courting at 

 break of day, and again, but less frequently, in the even- 

 ing. A male bird takes up his station on one of the upper 

 branches of a pine, and by his display attracts a number of 

 hens to the vicinity. The song of the male Capercaillie 

 commences with a number of clucking cries, repeated at 

 intervals of a second or two, then comes a cry which may 

 be compared to the drawing of the cork from a bottle, and 

 finally a " swishing " note. It is during this last effort 

 that the singer closes his eyes, shakes his head, and is 

 forgetful of everything, save his own display, for the 

 time being. Should a rival cock appear on the scene at 

 such a time, a fierce combat ensues until the vanquished 

 is either driven from the scene or is left dead on the battle- 

 field. 



In most European countries the Capercaillie is stalked 

 during his " display," and the sport is full of incident and 

 calls for a considerable amount of skill and wariness. 

 The stalker makes his way into the heart of the forest 

 before dawn, armed, perhajis, with a lantern, and, having 

 discovered a spot frequented by the birds, he extinguishes 

 his light and sits himself down to await events. As the 

 first streaks of dawn become visible in the east, the cluck- 

 ing calls of a Capercaillie are heard proceeding from a tree 

 near, and the stalk is commenced. It is a slow business, 

 as forward progress is possible only when the bird is 

 engaged in uttering the last part of his love song, and even 

 then there is time only for an advance of three or four 

 paces. During the intervals between their singing the 



