PUGNACIOUS DISPOSITION. 15 



a " stand-up fight " with the eagle is quite beyond my 

 comprehension, the more so, because I have often known 

 it to be pursued and killed by hawks of the smallest size. 

 When domesticated, it is true, the Capercali can put on a 

 very bold countenance, but in its native wilds it would 

 seem shyness itself. 



From some unexplained cause, however, there are 

 times, even when in a state of nature, that it loses its 

 habitual timidity, and becomes what in Sweden is called 

 Folk-ilsken, or viciously inclined towards people, actually 

 attacking those who come in its way. Of this fact more 

 than one instance is on record. 



" During a number of years," says M. Adelberg, " an 

 old Capercali cock frequented the estate of Willinge, on 

 the Island of Wermdo, who, as often as he heard people 

 in the woods, had the temerity to alight on the ground, 

 and with continual flapping of the wings to peck at the 

 legs and feet of those who disturbed his domain." 



M. Brehm mentions a somewhat similar incident. 

 " A male Capercali had its resorts in a wood a (German) 

 mile from Renthendorf, in the vicinity of a tolerably well 

 frequented road. This bird, as soon as it perceived any 

 one approaching, would fly towards him, furiously 

 attacking him with both beak and wings, and could with 

 difficulty be driven away. A Jagare succeeded in cap- 

 turing it, and carried it to a place two (German) miles 

 distant, but on the following day it had returned to its 

 old haunts. Another person afterwards caught it with 

 the intention of taking it to the " Ober-Ja,-ermeister." 



*~J O 



At first the bird remained quiet, but soon began to tear 

 and peck at him so effectually, that he was compelled to 

 restore it to liberty. After the lapse of some months, 

 however, it totally disappeared, having probably fallen 

 into the hands of a less timid birdcatcher." 



Once more : " In the month of August," we are 



