CAPERCAILLIE. 443 
shading into chestnut-brown on the scapulars, wing-coverts, and quills, 
every small feather being very finely vermiculated with white; the feathers 
of the belly, flanks, and upper and under tail-coverts are broadly tipped 
with white ; the breast is metallic green. Bill and feet pale greyish brown; 
claws nearly black; irides hazel. The female very closely resembles the 
Greyhen, but is a larger bird; all the feathers, except the quills, are 
chestnut, barred and vermiculated with black, and more or less tipped with 
white. After the autumn moult the white tips of the feathers of the under- 
parts are very conspicuous, and considerably alter the general appearance 
of the bird. In spring they disappear to a considerable extent, possibly 
by abrasion, but more probably by a moult; for examples obtained in 
spring appear to be in absolutely perfect plumage, not only the small 
feathers but also the wings and tail. Males of the year retain the female 
plumage principally on the mantle, upper tail-coverts, breast, and flanks. 
Young in first plumage of both sexes are very similar in colour to the 
adult female. 
As is the case with most polygamous birds, occasional hybrids are 
produced between the Capercaillie and other species; but the only hybrid 
known to occur in a wild state is that between the male Black Grouse and 
the female Capercaillie. Barren females occasionally assume more or less 
the plumage of the male, and various intermediate stages are found between 
her plumage and that of the adult male. The latter may be distinguished 
by their smaller size. 
