142 CASUALS IN THE CAUCASUS 



and went about in bachelor companies, sometimes as 

 many as twenty together, who spread their tails and 

 peacocked on rocky plateaux as though smiling spring 

 lay ahead instead of a grim advancing winter. The 

 hens frequented an Adamless grassy Eden at a much 

 lower level. 



I loved to watch the flight of black-game as they 

 plunged, in medias res, from the heights, and listen 

 to the iEolian music of their wings. The first down- 

 ward swoop carries them far out from the hill-side, 

 and then, all suddenly, the idea seems to strike them 

 that they don't know in the least where they are going 

 and it is quite possible they may never get there. 

 Threes about ! And every bird curves his neck, and 

 tucks his powerful rudder-like tail low until it reaches 

 the required steering angle, when he races with uner- 

 ring accuracy right or left to the hill again. 



I found black-cock harder to stop than a rocketing 

 pheasant, and if his pinion feathers remained unscathed 

 the glorious bird seemed impervious to shot, of which 

 he took an unbelievable amount without blenching. 

 When hard hit, the bird invariably makes for some 

 familiar resting-place, going gallantly, flying strong, to 

 fall, very often, just as he reaches his sanctuary. 



The most sporting game bird of the Caucasus is the 

 big snow-partridge of the high peaks, a splendid 

 creature, almost as big as a capercailzie. He will give 

 you a shoot for your money every time ! He is good 

 eating, too, and for once a Russian description, " moun- 

 tain turkey," fits him like his own feathers. The snow- 

 partridges are remarkable climbers — I wonder if the 



