THE FEATHERED GAME OF NORWAY. 165 
together of two pieces of wood or bone, after which a 
hissing noise follows, caused by sucking in the breath, 
when the eyes are either closed or turned upwards like 
a person in a fit. Whilst this latter noise is going 
on the bird is, as it were, completely entranced, and 
totally insensible ; but when the knocking sound begins 
again, creat caution must be used in approaching him, 
as he is then on the qui vive. The best plan is 
to watch for an opportunity to run in when the hissing 
is going on, and to stand stock still, or get behind 
a tree, if possible, as soon as this is over. By a careful 
observation of these rules they may be approached 
at very close quarters, and thus an interesting phe- 
nomenon in natural history be witnessed. 
Unfortunately numbers of them fall victims at this 
season to the poacher, who, like his brethren in all 
other parts of the world, is well acquainted with 
the habits and customs of birds. 
It is even said that the hens, when they perceive any 
danger approaching, will keep flying round and round 
to try and warn the male bird; and if that does not 
succeed, will even knock their entranced lord off his 
perch to bring him to a sense of the peril he is 
exposed to. 
The sounds emitted by the cock birds, as above 
described, are partly amatory, and partly serve as 
challenges to other males to the combat; for like all 
