78 THE PAIRING SEASON. 



can see several hundreds depart togetlier, in case a westerly 

 or south-westerly storm sets in." 



Odcc more : " When packs of these birds are seen 

 liigh in the air," writes Dr. Odman, " directing their 

 course towards the Skdrycird (the belt of islands girding 

 in places the Swedish coast), the common people say : 

 Oldndningen drager Orrarne till sig, that is, tlie inlia- 

 bitants of the Island of Oland draw to themselves the 

 Black-Cocks. 



The partial migrations of these birds have created 

 considerable interest amongst naturalists and others, and 

 many are the speculations hazarded as to their cause. 

 They can hardly be attributable to heavy snow storms, 

 great drouglits, or extensive fires in the forest, alleged by 

 some as the reason why the Capercali sometimes desert 

 the forests of the far north ; but more likely on the grounds 

 assumed by M. Ekstrom, who says: — 



"These autumnal migrations, which occur immediately 

 after the birds have packed in October, are probal)ly for 

 the purpose of seeking distant districts where the birch- 

 tree abounds, as its buds then constitute their principal 

 nourishment. Their migrations in tlie spring, again, are 

 a natural consequence of the desire felt by them to 

 propagate their species, which causes them to return to 

 their own paii'ing-grounds." 



The Black-Cock is polygamous, and in the pairing 

 season, as with the Capercali, has its " lek-stalle," or 

 pairing-ground. A morass, a "clearing" in the forest, or it 

 may be the frozen surface of a lake, is usually selected, 

 and to the self-same locality, unless subject to unusual 

 disturbance, the birds resort for years together. 



The pairing season with the Black-Cock takes place 

 somewhat earlier than with the Capercali ; in the more 

 central and southern portion of the jieninsula it usually 

 commences about the middle of March, or perhaps some- 



