THE FEATHERED GAME OF NORWAY. 165 



together of two pieces of wood or bone, after which a 

 hissing noise follows, caused by sucking in the breath, 

 when the eyes are either closed or turned upwards like 

 a person in a fit. Whilst this latter noise is going 

 on the bird is, as it were, completely entranced, and 

 totally insensible ; but when the knocking sound begins 

 again, great caution must be used in approaching him, 

 as he is then on the qui vive. The best plan is 

 to watch for an opportunity to run in when the hissing 

 is going on, and to stand stock still, or get behind 

 a tree, if possible, as soon as this is over. By a careful 



observation of these rules they may be approached 



l 



at very close quarters, and thus an interesting phe- 

 nomenon in natural history be witnessed. 



Unfortunately numbers of them fall victims at this 

 season to the poacher, who, like his brethren in all 

 other parts of the world, is well acquainted with 

 the habits and customs of birds. 



Jt is even said that the hens, when they perceive any 

 danger approaching, will keep flying round and round 

 to try and warn the male bird ; and if that does not 

 succeed, will even knock their entranced lord off his 

 perch to bring him to a sense of the peril he is 

 exposed to. 



The sounds emitted by the cock birds, as above 

 described, are partly amatory, and partly serve as 

 challenges to other males to the combat ; for like all 



