THE G ROUSE SUBFAMILY 29 



distance." And these musical efforts are occasionally varied by a 

 wild leap into the air and much flapping of wings. This strange 

 performance is known as the " lek " or " spel." 



Of the behaviour of the hens in regard to this display, strangely 

 little has apparently been recorded. Mr. Millais remarks that " soon 

 after dawn the hens arrive, and run about in some excitement on the 

 open sward near the foot of the " spel tree," while in Lloyd's Game- 

 birds and Wild Fowl of Sweden and Norway (p. 21) the females are said 

 to gather at the " laking places," and by harsh croaks endeavour to 

 attract the attention of the male when in ecstasy. Finally he 

 descends and pairs with each in succession. Evidently in this theme 

 much yet remains to be discovered. 



Contrast with the behaviour of the capercaillie that of the black- 

 grouse, also a polygamous species, at this time. As in the case of its 

 larger relative, courting begins early in April weather permitting 

 but the role of the wandering troubadour is exchanged for a species 

 of tournament. A number of males gather at dawn in some open 

 spot, generally a sloping sward of short green grass or some rushy 

 field near the moor in which they have roosted. In assembling they 

 keep up a more or less continuous, resonant, whining call, designed 

 to attract the females which appear anon. Meanwhile two males will 

 meet and proceed to battle : facing one another with lowered head, 

 drooped wings, and arched tails, spread fan-wise, but with the long 

 curly feathers nearly touching the ground. They " set " some thirty 

 yards apart, and advance to within a few feet of one another, then 

 skirmish. Or one will seize the other by the neck and administer a 

 sound beating with his wings. The vanquished then retreats, and the 

 victor mounts some hillock and crows a defiant challenge, changing 

 his tactics, however, to suit the altered conditions. He rises to meet 

 his foe and watches him, with lowered head, allowing the attacker to 

 waste his energies in trying to get above or below his guard. Then 

 suddenly he pounces down on his antagonist, sometimes to engage in 

 a conflict which may last for an hour. 



