THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE 409 



Hares and foxes, coursed with borzois, also occasionally afford capital 



runs. 



In no country in the world is there better or more varied shootino- 



than in Russia. The shooting of capercailzie is done almost entirely 



in spring, when the cock-bird starts his love-song. It 



Birds. 

 usually begins in April, a few days earlier or later, 



according to the severity of the winter, and lasts throughout that 



month. The fascination of this sport consists, to my mind, more 



in. the awakening of nature and animal life than in the stalk itself, 



which is comparatively easy. As everyone knows, the 



Capercailzie. 

 capercailzie's song lasts only a few seconds, and the 



concluding notes turn into a hissing sound, during which the bird 

 is entirely deaf. The hunter may then rush forward, stopping just 

 before the song is over, for the bird then regains its acute sense 

 of hearing. This usually takes place between 1.30 and 3 a.m., 

 and most shots have to be taken at earliest dawn. As many as 

 seven birds in one morning have been bagged in this way. 

 Difficulties sometimes arise owing to dense covert and marshy 

 ground, which have to be crossed in the dark. If one happens 

 to pitch in an awkward position, and the bird does not repeat its 

 song at short intervals, seconds seem hours, and the slightest move- 

 ment on the shooter's part means certain failure. Tok 



. . . The TOK. 



is the Russian name for this mode of shooting, denoting 



both the place where capercailzie gather in the woods, as well as 

 the sounds they emit. The places are generally well known to 

 keepers, who wander about the forest in search of fresh toks, 

 and birds come back every spring to call almost from the same 



