Capercaillie. 325 



during the day when any unusual noise disturbs it ; and a sudden 

 clap of thunder will cause every pheasant in the wood to sound 

 his call-note of inquiry. 



In France it is Faisan, in Germany Fasan, in Italy Fagiano ; 

 all of which are mere adaptations of Phasianus to the languages 

 of the respective countries. 



TETKAONID^E (THE GROUSE). 



Very closely allied to the Pheasants comes the family of 

 Grouse, a race highly prized in this country, and containing 

 more than half the species of Ground-birds known to have 

 occurred in Wiltshire. In habits, in their mode of nesting on 

 the ground, and in the food they seek, they very much resemble 

 those last described. In like manner their head is small, beak 

 strong and convex, wings short, feet stout, and tarsus feathered, 

 but the distinguishing characteristic consists in the elevation 

 and diminution of the hind toe, which in this family becomes 

 exceedingly short, and in the succeeding family disappears 

 altogether. Their flight, though rapid and direct, is heavy, but 

 they walk and run with great agility, and they seek their food, 

 which consists of grain and vegetable substances, entirely on the 

 ground. 



125. CAPERCAILLIE (Tetrao Urogallm). 



The occurrence of a single specimen of this magnificent bird 

 within the limits of this county, as recorded by the late Rev. 

 George Marsh, entitles me to include it within our Wiltshire list. 

 That straggler made its appearance at W T interslow in 1841, and 

 was supposed to have escaped from Mr. Baring's park, where 

 several had been introduced. Indeed, it had entirely ceased to 

 exist south of the Tweed, and was almost extinct in Scotland a 

 few years back, till the Marquis of Breadalbane and other 

 noblemen reinforced its fast-diminishing ranks by importing 

 fresh colonists from Sweden, and preserved and protected it in 

 their extensive forests, till it has now re-peopled its former 

 haunts ; so that it is not probable that our Wiltshire visitor 

 had wandered from its home under natural causes ; nor is it 



