CHAPTER II. 



Pairing-Grounds. Breading. -Habits. The Hirem Pugnacity. 

 Curious Crosses. A.nserine Predilections. Enemies. Value for the 

 Table. Domestication. Treatment when in Confinement. Naturali- 

 zation in Scotland. 



r |^HE Capereali is a polygamist, and in the spring 

 of the year collects the hens about him by means 

 of his spel or love song. 



The lek-tid; or pairing season, with these birds usually 

 commences towards the end of March or beginning of 

 April the time more or less depending on the mildness 

 or severity of the weather, the state of the snow, &c. 

 and continues until the middle of May, or it may be the 

 end of that month. The lek-stdlle, or locality where affairs 

 matrimonial are carried on, is commonly a wooded emi- 

 nence near a morass, tarn, or other opening in the forest ; 

 sometimes, however, though not frequently, " on a level 

 rock with fir trees growing in and about it." The " lek- 

 stalle" is generally of some extent, and the Capereali 

 resort to it year after year, unless the trees have been 

 felled, or the forest otherwise disturbed. 



The oldest or strongest male (or males, as the case may 



c 2 



