PINE-WOOD STUDIES n 



IV 



THE CAPERCAILZIE CALLS 



THE long northern winter gives signs of yielding to 

 spring, and a new note is heard in the pine-wood 

 the voice of the capercailzie. Before sunrise, and at 

 sundown each day, the males station themselves on 

 the loftiest pines and commence their pairing notes. 

 These calls are loud, and are uttered long from some 

 spot or glade among the trees. At this time the 

 plumage of the adult male is resplendent in metallic 

 lustre, and as he struts his glowing colours are seen 

 to the best advantage. Stationed on some pine 

 bough, he stretches his neck, spreads his fan-like tail, 

 and jerks his body forward. And then the deep, 

 indescribable notes ring through the forest, and are 

 heard to a great distance. The females hasten to 

 the spot, responding with a deep guttural guck, 

 guck, guck. At those sounds his voice becomes 

 subdued, the notes run into each other, until, proud 

 of his accomplishment, he throws back his head, 

 closes his eyes, and ends with a prolonged g-u-c-k-o. 

 He then descends to the ground and struts among the 

 hens. And now he indulges in the most fanciful 

 attitudes bows, droops his wings, and appears 

 twice his natural size. During the whole of this 

 time he keeps turning round and round, and utters a 



