56 CAPERCALI STALKING. 



direction he ^yill5 the eye of one or other of the birds — 

 scattered as they usually are — is pretty sure to be upon 

 hira. We are told, however, that should a man at such 

 times be robed in white — an expedient never adopted by 

 myself — the Capercali will allow him to approach much 

 nearer tlian if in his usual dress. 



In following this amusement, one should be provided 

 with a rifle that shoots accurately at from a hundred to a 

 hundred and fifty yards, as it is not always easy to get 

 within a shorter distance of the Capercali; and the 

 smaller the ball the better, for if at all large it is apt 

 greatly to disfigure the bird. If near the Capercali when 

 you fire, and that the ball goes wide of the mark, the 

 bird almost invariably takes wing at once ; but if, on the 

 contrary, the distance be considerable — say one hundred 

 and fifty to two hundred yards— it will often remain on 

 its perch until you have " emptied a powder-horn." 

 Owing to want of accuracy in ray rifle, I have fired in 

 quick succession from eight to ten shots at the same 

 bird, without its altering its position in the least ; and it 

 has only taken wing at last when the ball has scraped 

 some feathers from its body. 



When within range of the Capercali, one of course rests 

 the rifle against a tree or a stone, if such be at hand; 

 but, failing other support, it is a good plan to lie on the 

 back, and fire from tbe upraised knee, which forms an 

 admirable I'est for the rifle. 



To the distant looker-on it is interesting to observe 

 a Capercali brought down with a rifle-ball. One instant 

 the noble bird is seen perched on the pinnacle of a pine ; 

 and the next, before the report of the piece is heard, it is 

 tumbling headlong to the ground. 



Occasionally it happens that the Capercali when shot 

 makes, in its fall, a lodgment amongst the branches ; in 

 which case, unless the fowler is willing to relinquish his 



