A SPLENDID BIRD. 205 



aborigine, there can be no doubt that, as he moves along 

 the grassy glades, the sunshine slanting on his burnished 

 neck — now raising his head to listen to some distant 

 sound, now stooping to pick up a fallen acorn — he is a 

 right royal creature ! A flock of these handsome birds, 

 when feeding on the wild wood-fruits in some sequestered 

 avenue of the forest, presents a charming sight. 



According to Daniel, the common pheasant found its 

 way into Europe, from its original habitat on the banks of 

 the river Phasis, about 1250; and mention of it occurs in 

 English records before the close of the thirteenth century. 



In many parts of Europe, and here and there among 

 the piny woods of Scotland, may be found the Capercailzie, 

 or great Cock-o'-the- Woods ; the largest of all feathered 

 game, for it weighs as much as a good-sized turkey, — that 

 is, from twelve to fifteen pounds, — and measures about 

 two feet nine inches in length. The word " capercailzie " 

 is derived from the Gaelic ccqndcoille, or "horse of the 

 wood." It is a splendid bird, in a glorious plumage of gray 

 and black and brown, all finely shaded, and blended to- 

 gether, as it were, by a gloss of golden green. 



In Scandinavia the capercailzie is found as far north as 

 the pine-tree grows, and also in the Russian forests. It is 

 among the pines and the silvery birches that it loves to 

 build its nest. 



In similar localities is found the Hazel Grouse ; and in 

 Central as well as Northern Europe the Blackcock is 

 plentiful. The latter is fond of the moorland districts, 

 where the heather covers brae and holloAv with the beauty 



