14 THE GROUSE SUBFAMILY 



The latter species presents a similar story, inasmuch as, though 

 never at any time exterminated, its range, as has already been shown 

 (p. 4), was once more continuous than now over these islands. 



In appearance these two birds have much in common, but the 

 blackcock is much the smaller, and, in the opinion of most, he is 

 also handsomer, the curious lyrate tail contributing much to this 

 superiority. But to this aspect we must return later. For the 

 moment, let us compare the habits of the two species. 



The capercaillie, as we have already remarked, prefers large 

 woods of larch, spruce, and Scotch fir, and for preference, those on a 

 hillside, when, on fine days, the birds delight to sit on the tops of the 

 trees to enjoy the morning sun. The blackcock, on the other hand, 

 annexes the rough and broken heather, gorse, and marshy land 

 adjoining pine and birch forests, and intersected by mountain 

 streams. 



In the case of both species, however, the inclement weather of 

 the winter months drives them from their favourite haunts. The 

 capercaillie, from October to April, according to Mr. Millais, 1 seeks 

 the shelter of the low-lying woods of birch, pine, and larch, or forages 

 among the deep heather beyond its confines, and the corn-fields still 

 farther afield, to rob the stooks, and gather the abundant harvest of 

 blueberries and raspberries afforded in such regions. During more 

 severe weather they will readily eat the shoots of the Scotch fir, on 

 which account this bird in many parts of Scotland is detested, since, 

 by nipping off the leading shoot, large numbers of good trees are 

 spoiled, at any rate as to shape. So great is the animosity it inspires 

 on this account, that in some forests the bird is shot at sight, and its 

 eggs stamped upon whenever they are found. The birds seem almost 

 to realise the existence of this ill-will, since they feed at such times 

 stealthily, the hens alone making any sound uttering a low " coq 

 coq " as they step along the branches and reach for the points, which 

 they nip off with a jerk of the head. 



1 J. G. Millais, History of Game-Birds. 



