FOOD. -, 



Vitits /</'(/), the common bilberry or bleaberry (Vaccinium 

 Myrtillus), the wild strawberry (Fragaria vescii), and 

 raspberry (Ritbus Idccus), the juniper-berry (Juniper us 

 communiti), and of insects, etc. It also feeds on the 

 leaves of the Scotch fir (Pinus sylvestris, Linn.), and of 

 the spruce pine* (Pinus Abies), though of the latter, so 

 far as my own observation goes, very sparingly. In the 

 winter time, when the ground is deeply covered with 

 snow, and berries, &c., not readily procurable, the Caper- 

 cali would seem to subsist almost altogether on the leaves 

 of the trees named, large portions of which, indeed, may 

 always be seen in its droppings. 



The young Capercali feed, at first, on insects, larvae, 

 ant-eggs, and small worms ; but they soon learn to eat 

 the several kinds of berries specified, as also by degrees 

 acorns and pine leaves. 



According to Swedish naturalists, the Capercali flies 

 heavily and with much noise, and seldom high or to a 

 distance. But in this matter I am somewhat at variance 

 with them ; because, taking the large size of the bird 

 into consideration, its flight appears to me rather light 

 than otherwise ; and I have not only seen it at a con- 

 siderable height, but known it to fly for several miles at 

 a stretch. 



The learned tell us, moreover, that the Capercali 

 seldom sits on the tops of trees. This is also rather 

 contrary to my own experience, certainly so far as regards 

 the winter ; for at that season one often sees the male 

 bird perched on the very topmost branches of a pine. 



During daytime, in the summer and autumn, the 

 Capercali is for the most part on the ground, feeding on 



' The Larch (Abies Larix, Rich. ; Pinus Larix, Linn.), excepting 

 in ornamental plantations, is unknown in Sweden. But the late Lord 

 Breadalbane told me recently, that at Taymouth Castle, where that tree 

 itlxiuuds, the < 'apereali i'eed on its leaves with avidity. 



