CAPERCAILLIE. 443 



shading into chestnut-brown on the scapulars, wing-coverts, and quills, 

 every small feather being very finely vermiculated with white ; the feathers 

 of the belly, flanks, and upper and under tail-coverts are broadly tipped 

 with white; the breast is metallic green. Bill and feet pale greyish brown; 

 claws nearly black ; irides hazel. The female very closely resembles the 

 Greyhen, but is a larger bird ; all the feathers, except the quills, are 

 chestnut, barred and vermiculated with black, and more or less-tipped with 

 white. After the autumn moult the white tips of the feathers of the under- 

 parts are very conspicuous, and considerably alter the general appearance 

 of the bird. In spring they disappear to a considerable extent, possibly 

 by abrasion, but more probably by a moult; for examples obtained in 

 spring appear to be in absolutely perfect plumage, not only the small 

 feathers but also the wings and tail. Males of the year retain the female 

 plumage principally on the mantle, upper tail-coverts, breast, and flanks. 

 Young in first plumage of both sexes are very similar in colour to the 

 adult female. 



As is the case with most polygamous birds, occasional hybrids are 

 produced between the Capercaillie and other species ; but the only hybrid 

 known to occur in a wild state is that between the male Black Grouse and 

 the female Capercaillie. Barren females occasionally assume more or less 

 the plumage of the male, and various intermediate stages are found between 

 her plumage and that of the adult male. The latter may be distinguished 

 by their smaller size. 



