CAPERCAILZIE* 81 



tracts the females by his call, on some eminence 

 or open spot, and, after that season has passed, 

 retires and skulks to undergo the process of moult- 

 ing ; the female alone performs the duties of in- 

 cubation, and the brood continues with her until 

 the males begin to change their plumage. Such, 

 at least, is the information we draw from the 

 works of those gentlemen who have had occasional 

 opportunities of observing them. The poulterers, 

 in London and Edinburgh, now import them in 

 considerable quantities, along with the other nor- 

 thern grouse, after the season has terminated here, 

 and, we rather think, that many must be then 

 procured after the season of courtship has com- 

 menced. In this present spring (1840), several pairs 

 were for sale in the latter city, and in very good 

 condition, and one guinea was the price asked for 

 a male in a tolerable state of plumage. We have 

 also received specimens from Newcastle, where 

 we understand the importation is frequent at a 

 similar period. They may be brought to table as 

 a curiosity, but those we have tasted were coarse 

 and highly flavoured with the fir; but during 

 summer they may lose this, and the young birds 

 may be very palatable. 



Before passing from this species, we must shortly 

 notice the Tetrao medius of authors, of which 

 there are slight indications of its having once 

 existed in Scotland, and, if the supposition of 

 those ornithologists who consider it as a hybrid 

 between the Capercailzie and the black cock, be 



