278 Allen's naturalist's library. 



" Here the man listens in profound silence until he hears the 

 spel of the cock, then, for the most part, perched on or near to 

 the top of a pine. Sheltering himself as much as possible 

 behind trees and other cover, he stealthily approaches the 

 bird ; but, owing to imperfect daylight and thickness of the 

 wood, he is often unable to see it until close upon it. So long, 

 however, as the first and second notes, kndppningen and khmken, 

 last, he must remain stationary, and, if in an exposed situation, 

 immovable as a statue. But when the bird's third note, sis- 

 7iingen, commences, which, as said, continues only a very short 

 time — and in the while the bird is all but blind and deaf — he 

 takes three to four steps, or rather strides, in advance, when he 

 again halts. Should all remain perfectly quiet, however, the bird 

 almost immediately recommences its spel, and, when it once 

 more comes to sisiiingen^ the man, as before, moves forward 

 several steps ; and by thus alternately halting and advancing 

 he at length arrives within gunshot of the Capercali, whose 

 fate is then soon sealed. 



" The Capercali during its spel is very watchful ; and the 

 fowler must therefore be exceedingly guarded in his move- 

 ments while thus stealing on it ; and at such times as the 

 bird is heard, although not seen, he should, of all things, avoid 

 looking about him. Want of caution on the part of the fowler 

 in this matter has saved the lives of many Capercali. Its eye, 

 indeed, is said to be so piercing as more readily to discover 

 the face and hands of the man, if they be uncovered, than his 

 person ; and some, therefore, deem it advisable not only to 

 wear gloves but to hold down the head. 



"The fowler should also be careful never to advance until 

 the stsnifigen has actually commenced, for an old Capercali 

 cock that has previously started will, perhaps, when one imagines 

 it is on the very point of beginning the last-named note, 

 suddenly stop in its spel ; and if one then advances, will 

 most assuredly take wing. When again the man halts after 

 stsningen^ it should be in an easy position ; so that, 

 however long he may have to w^ait before the bird recom- 

 mences its spel, it will not be needful for him to change it for 

 another. 



During the early part of the Spring, when the cock carries 

 on his spel quite alone, he runs the greatest risk of his life ; 



