THE CAPERCAILZIE, OR COCK OF THE WOOD 



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from six to ten eggs of a reddish or yellowish brown. The young, 

 when hatched, are fed upon insects. The old birds feed chiefly on 

 vegetable substances, such as the buds and leaves of several trees, 

 and on juniper and bilberries. The capercailzie, once frequent in 

 the British Islands, has practically become extinct as a wild specie? 



FIG. 68. THE CAPERCAILZIE, OR COCK OF THE WOCD. 



though met with in Scotland ; but though attempts (and successful) 

 have been made to introduce it, the bird forms too tempting, large, 

 and easy mark for the sportsman to be permitted to multiply. It 

 breeds in confinement, and seems capable of semi-domestication 

 similar to the pheasant. It is excellent eating, and may frequently 



