

CAPERCAILLIE 



WOOD GROUSE. 



PLATE CXXXVIII. 



Tetrao urogallus, LINN^US. 



Urogallus major, BRISSON. 



THE Capercaillie, which, after becoming extinct, has been 

 reintroduced into this country, usually nests in May, and 

 the young are hatched early in June. 



The nest, composed of grasses and leaves, is made upon 

 the ground, in long grass or heath, under the shelter of a 

 tree, or bramble, or other bush. One has been known at a 

 good height from the ground, in a pine tree, in an old nest 

 of a Falcon. 



The eggs are from half-a-dozen to a dozen in number, of 

 a pale reddish-yellow brown, spotted all over with two 

 shades of orange brown. Incubation is said to last about 

 a month, the hen alone sitting, the male keeping in the 

 neighbourhood. If danger approaches, she runs off a little 

 way, but returns again as soon as she can with safety. The 

 young leave the nest soon after they are hatched, and keep 

 with the mother bird till towards the approach of winter. 



The account of the reintroduction of this bird has been 

 admirably given by Mr. J. A. Harvie- Brown in his work 

 "The Capercaillie in Scotland." 



