4 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



I meant them no harm ; but not so the old cock, who, 

 with a slow dignified step, stalked up to the top of the 

 nearest rock, from which he could obtain a good view all 

 round, and stood there watching me till I was out of sight. 

 It is not often that the Caper resorts to lying close 

 until the danger is past except in the early autumn, when 



CAPERCAILLIE SURPRISED !>' THE OPEN. 



in the fern-banks and feeding on the wild raspberries, or 

 when wounded. In the former case they often sit so close 

 that the dogs catch them before they can rise above the 

 bracken. This power of remaining perfectly still to elude 

 observation is a wonderful faculty of the Game Birds, and 

 their instinctive knowledge in selecting ground and 

 surroundings which are in exact accordance with the 

 colour and markings of their own plumage is a merciful 



