CHAPTEE XXII. 



ON THE DECREASE OF BLACK GAME. 



BLACK GAME have become less plentiful, and in some cases 

 even extinct, or nearly so, in certain districts where Caper- 

 caillies have become plentiful, and there is an apparently 

 striking connection between the advent of the latter and the 

 departure of the former. This cannot be denied, and I have 

 many statements from correspondents bearing out the truth 

 of the assertion. 1 



From many others, however, I have also the statement 

 that black game have not decreased in certain other districts 

 which Capercaillies have taken possession of, and where they 

 have become plentiful ; and the latter group of correspondents 

 are invariably of opinion that Capercaillies in no way inter- 



1 And it does seem certain, moreover, that Capercaillies and black game 

 .do not invariably agree to live peaceably in one another's company. One 

 correspondent, who appears to have had considerable experience of their habits, 

 and to have watched them closely, tells me that when black game and Caper- 

 caillies do happen to frequent the same ground, the latter drive away the 

 former in the spring time. As this, however, can only refer to somewhat 

 unusual circumstances in the localities, and as the two can hardly be said 

 generally to frequent similar country, this fact can only be held as of local 

 application. The same correspondent adds that they drive away black game 

 " by driving off the old birds and killing the young ;" and he states that he 

 has seen battles between the species in 'clucking season.' He also saw a 

 Capercaillie and a grey hen with their broods coming in contact, when a 

 terrible battle ensued. " The Capercaillie succeeded in driving away the grey 

 hen, and then killed the most of her brood." 



