40 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



although only a few weeks old, they were by that time larger 

 than the largest moor-game. I had no opportunity of hand- 

 ling them, or of examining them very minutely, but the 

 general view which I had of them at the distance of a few 

 feet did not enable me to distinguish the difference between 

 the young males and females. They seemed precisely the 

 same at that time, both in size and plumage, although I doubt 

 not the male markings must have soon shown themselves on 

 the young cocks. The single surviving bird of those hatched 

 by the mother died of an accident, after living in a very 

 healthy state for several weeks. Two of those hatched by 

 the common hen died of some disease, the nature of which is 

 not known, after lingering for a considerable time. It follows 

 that there are only two young birds remaining. These are 

 both females, and when I last heard of them, some months 

 ago, were in a thriving condition. 



" The whole progeny were fed at first, and for some time, 

 with young ants — that is, with those whitish grain-shaped 

 bodies, which are the larvse and chrysalids in their cocoons, of 

 these industrious creatures, though commonly called ants' 

 eggs. At that period they were also occasionally supplied 

 with some tender grass, cut very short. As soon as they had 

 acquired some strength they began to eat oats and pot barley, 

 together with grass and the various kinds of moss. They 

 are now fed like the three old birds, chiefly on grain and 

 heather tops, with the young shoots and other tender portions 

 of the Scotch fir. I am informed that the distinction between 

 the sexes had become very obvious before the death of the 

 young males. The plumage of the latter was much darker, 

 their general dimensions were greater, their bills larger and 

 more hooked. These characters became very apparent during 

 November and December. 



" The old males have never yet had access to the young 

 birds, so that it has not been ascertained whether they enter- 



