56 CAPKKCALI STALKING. 



direction he will, the eye of one or other of the birds- 

 scattered as they usually are is pretty sure to he upon 

 liirn. We are told, however, that should a man at such 

 times he robed in white an expedient never adopted by 

 myself the Capercali will allow him to approach much 

 nearer than if in his usual dress. 



In following this amusement, one should be provided 

 with a rifle that shoots accurately at from a hundred to a 

 hundred and fifty yards, as it is not always easy to tret 

 within a shorter distance of the Capercali ; and the 

 smaller the ball the better, for if at all large it is apt 

 greatly to disfigure the bird. If near the Capercali when 

 you lire, and that the ball goes wide of the mark, the 

 bird almost invariably takes wing at once; but if, on tin- 

 contrary, the distance be considerable say one hundred 

 and fifty to two hundred yards it will often remain mi 

 its perch until you have " emptied a powder-horn." 

 Owing to want of accuracy in my rifle, I have fired in 

 quick succession from eight to ten shots at the same 

 bird, without its altering its position in the least; and il 

 has only taken wing at last when the ball has scraped 

 some feathers from its body. 



When within range of the Capercali, one of course rests 

 the rifle against a tree or a stone, if such be at hand ; 

 but, failing other support, it is a good plan to lie on the 

 back, and fire from the upraised knee, which forms an 

 admirable rest for the rifle. 



To the distant looker-on it is interesting to observe 

 a Capercali brought down \\ith a rifle-ball. One instant 

 the noble bird is seen perched on the pinnacle of a pine; 

 and the next, before the report of the piece is heard, it is 

 tumbling headlong to the ground. 



Occasionally it happens that the Capercali when sin it 

 makes, in its fall, a lodgment amount tin- branches; in 

 which case, unless the t'm\ ler is willing to relinquish lii>. 



