182 THE WOOD-GROUSE. 



assemble on the ground around the tree. With 

 eyes sparkling, the feathers of the head and neck 

 erect, the wings extended, the tail spread out and 

 raised, the lordly bird paces over the thick 

 branches, or parades along the trunk of a fallen 

 tree, making the solitude resound with its cries: 

 these may be heard from two o'clock in the 

 morning till day-break ; he then descends from 

 the tree, and accompanies the birds assembled 

 around him, often to the number of six or eight, 

 in search of food. In the evening he returns to 

 his post, and resumes his station on the lofty tree. 

 The capercaile is so wary a bird, that though 

 the sportsman may be acquainted with his haunts, 

 and may invade them, on murderous thoughts 

 intent, it is not easy to compass his destruc- 

 tion. It is impossible to get within gun-shot of 

 him, except while he is uttering the cries we 

 have described. If the fowler is still resolved to 

 make him his prey, he should remain immoveable 

 from the moment the bird is silent. It is said 

 that the least motion will drive him away, and 

 that the crackling of the leaves, or even an in- 

 considerate movement of the eyes, will put him 

 on his guard; and when once he has discovered 

 his danger, he is no longer approachable. The 

 peculiar cry of which the fowler must take ad- 

 vantage, may be expressed by the syllables he- 



