6 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



swinging motion of the body, which renders it easy for 

 them to shoot off in whatever direction they can best avoid 

 their enemy. It is not an uncommon sight to see hen 

 birds, on observing the gun, make a sudden dive towards 

 the earth from the tops of the trees from which they have 

 just emerged, and dash past the shooter, quite low, often 

 rendering a successful shot impossible, until about to 

 enter the cover behind ; but in places where Capers are 

 seldom driven, this is of rare occurrence, the bird generally 

 passing overhead in a quick decisive manner. It is only 

 where the birds have been frequently driven, and the 

 chance of seeing their dreaded enemy has become a 

 painful certainty, that they adopt this strategy. It is the 

 means, however, of often saving their lives, for if the 

 shooter is not on the look-out for this little manceuvre on 

 their part, and is very " nippy," he is apt to find he is too 

 late. As a general rule, when the Caper has determined 

 as to what is to be his line of flight, he seldom diverges 

 from it, even though he has to run the gauntlet of a line 

 of guns which he can see perfectly. Then his flight is 

 bold and unwavering, and he cannot fail to create respect 

 in the hearts of his would-be slayers, as he sails onward, 

 having received the contents of the last barrel in his back 

 without a quiver. 



Capercaillie, when travelling from the low to the high 

 grounds, generally find it necessary to make one or two 

 wide circles in the air before leaving the old ground 

 altogether. This is performed in order to give the 

 necessary elevation for their point of alighting, so that 

 they do not have to rise during their flight ; they never 

 seem to be able to fly up-hill, except on a very gentle 



