THE CAPERCAILLIE. 347 



the lapse of a moment or so, he makes a sort of gulp in 

 his throat, and finishes by drawing in his breath. During 

 the continuance of this latter process, which only lasts a 

 few seconds, the head of the Capercaillie is thrown up, his 

 eyes are partially closed, and his whole appearance would 

 denote that he is worked up into an agony of passion." * 

 This performance, however attractive it may be to those 

 for whose benefit it is intended, exercises a fascination 

 over himself which is often dangerous ; for the sportsman, 

 well acquainted with the sound, is thus guided to his 

 perch, and, shy though the bird is at other times, is able to 

 get near him unperceived or unheeded, and summarily 

 closes his performances. The Capercaillie hen makes her 

 nest upon the ground, and lays from six to twelve eggs. 

 She is said to sit for four weeks. The young keep with 

 her until towards the approach of winter. The size of the 

 full-grown bird varies considerably according to the latitude- 

 in which it is found. In Lapland the male weighs about 

 nine or ten pounds, but in the southern provinces of 

 Sweden as much as seventeen pounds. The hen usually 

 weighs from five to six pounds. 



THE BLACK GEOUSE. 



TETRAO TETRIX. 



Throat-feathers not elongated ; plumage black with violet reflections ; a broad 

 white band on the wings ; secondaries tipped with white ; lower tail-coverts 

 white; tail much forked, the outer feathers curved outwards. Eyebrows 

 naked, vermilion ; beneath the eye a white spot. Length twenty-three 

 inches. Female smaller ; head and neck rust-red barred with black ; rump 

 and tail-feathers black barred with red ; belly dusky brown with red and 

 whitish bars ; tail slightly forked. Eggs dull yellow spotted and speckled 

 with reddish bro^vn. 



The Black Grouse is a native of the northern countries of 

 Europe and of the mountainous districts of the central 

 part of the continent. In the south it is unknown. Of 

 a hardier nature than the Pheasant, and less fastidious in 

 its dietary, it braves the most inclement seasons, and is 



* Lloyd's "Field Sports of the North of Europe." 



