CH. XXXYI. CAPERCAILZIE AND BLACKCOCK. 267 



tasted as any of our British game. It is to be 

 hoped that in time we shall again see this noble 

 kind of grouse tolerably common in the extensive 

 plantations of fir and larch which are springing up 

 on many of our Highland mountains which hitherto 

 have been covered only by the heather. 



Both in Scotland and Norway, wherever the 

 capercailzie and blackcock inhabit the same dis- 

 trict, hybrids between them are by no means un- 

 common. The difference of size between the male 

 capercailzie and the gray-hen is very great ; but 

 the female of the former bird is much smaller than 

 the male, being frequently very little larger than a 

 full-grown blackcock. Both species, too, being 

 polygamous, there is a greater chance of their 

 breeding together than of hybrids between the 

 blackcock and the grouse, those birds always pair- 

 ing. The blackcock is a perfect Turk in his 

 domestic establishment, taking to himself as many 

 wives as he can collect together, and keeping them 

 by force of arms against all rivals. 



In the recent reintroduction into Scotland of the 

 capercailzie a spirited example has been set us ; 

 and there is no doubt that many other species of 

 grouse and game birds might be naturalised in 

 Britain. The ruffed grouse, for instance, and 

 several other species from America, and also phea- 



