THE HAREM. 2.3 



spel, which he still continues, and whilst parading amongst 

 the ladies of his harem, he pairs with each in succession. 



Immense excitement is then exhibited, not only by 

 the male, but also by the female. The latter may be seen, 

 with outstretched neck and hurried movements, flitting 

 round and round her lord, as if challenging his notice, till 

 at length, approaching more boldly, she nestles close 

 beside him and solicits attentions, which his gallantry 

 ultimately accords. Indeed, so absorbing is the love of 

 the female Capercali during the pairing season that hens, 

 whose mates have been shot, have been found lying on 

 the ground in a state of excitement, and at the same time 

 giving utterance to the plaintive call-note by which they 

 were wont to lure him to pairing ; and so abstracted, 

 moreover, as actually to allow themselves to be taken 

 by the naked hand. 



Several cocks, old and young, not unfrequently con- 

 gregate at the same " lek-stalle ;" but so long as the old 

 birds live, the young, or those of the preceding season, 

 are not allowed to spel ; and should they venture so to 

 do, are pretty sure of getting what Brother Jonathan 

 calls "badly whipped." But when the old birds are shot, 

 the young ones, after the lapse of a day or two, com- 

 mence; and occasionally several may be heard at their 

 spel at the same time, and then, as M. Greiff says, " it 

 goes gloriously." 



Early in the pairing season, when the male for the 

 most part is quite alone, he does not spel regularly or 

 with much animation, merely giving expression to a few 

 straggling notes ; but when at an after-period the females 

 make their appearance at the " lek-stalle," he " opens his 

 pipes," as Ir.is been quaintly observed, " in right good 

 earnest." " When the woodcock rodes* the frogs croak 



; This word " RODE," which is derived from the French verb RUDER, to 

 prowl about in search of jtrey at dusk, is not to be confounded with the 



