38 SHOOTING AT THE PAIRING-GROUND. 



and the shrill notes of the Woodlark {Alaucla arhorea, 

 Linn.) — hence called the Tjdder-klockan, or the Caper- 

 cali-watch — are heard in the forest." 



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 the thickness of the wood, he is 

 often unable to see it until close upon it. So long, how- 

 ever, as the first and second notes, knapptmujen and 

 klanken, last, he must remain stationary, and, if in an 

 exposed situation, immovable as a statue. But when the 

 bird's third note, sisninfjen, 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 (as shown in the 

 accompanying illustration by J. Wolf), when he again 

 halts. Should all remain perfectly quiet, however, the 

 bird almost immediately recommences its spel, and, a\ hen 

 it once more comes to sisningen, the man, as before, 

 moves forward several steps ; and, by thus alternately 

 halting and advancing, he at length arrives Avithin gun- 

 shot of the Capercali, Avhose fate is then soon sealed. 



The Capercali during its spel is very watchful ; and 

 the fowler must, therefore, be exceedingly guarded in his 

 movements whilst 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. 



