51. CAPKKCALI STALKING. 



are mantled iu white, the birds are generally to be seen 

 perched on the upper l)i"anclies of the Scotch fir, the leaves 

 of which then constitute their chief nourishment. 



A large pack of Capercali thus feeding, with their 

 dark colour beautifully contrasting with that of the snow- 

 clad pines, is one of the most striking and interesting 

 of sights, of which the reader may form some idea 

 from the annexed illustration kindly executed for this 

 work by my talented friend, Colonel Prits von Dardel, 

 Aide-de-Camp to the King of Sweden. 



The great ditficulty is to find the " pack," unless 

 one has previous information regarding its whereabouts. 

 Not unfrequently, indeed, a man may wander for a day 

 or two in the forest, and in the while go over an im- 

 mense extent of country, witliout meeting Avith more 

 than an odd bird; such at least has been my experience. 

 If a "pack" be found, however, the sportsman may 

 generally manage to follow it for the whole day, or it may 

 be for several days together. 



The larger the " pack," the better ; as well because the 

 birds are then more discernible at a distance, as that, 

 when disturbed, they seldom take wing all at one time, 

 and hence the "unner is usuallv enabled to observe the 

 direction taken by one or other of them ; and where 

 it alights, or in the near vicinity, he is pretty sure to 

 iind its comrades. But if, on the contrary, the "pack" 

 be small and the distance great, one may readily pass the 

 birds unobserved; or should all take wing at once 

 when the eye is not on them, it may happen that they 

 are lost altogether. 



Sjieaking generally, the longer one pursues a "pack" 

 of Capercali, the more approachable the birds become ; 

 partly, no doubt, from getting accustomed to the report of 

 the gun, but chiefly, I take it, owing to their being 

 prevented from eating tlieir fill. Towards evening, 



