NATURAL HISTORY. 



Sub-family 6. Tetraonince. 

 TETRAO. (Lat. a Bustard.) 



Urogallus, the Capcrcaillie. 



The CAPERCAILLIE or COCK OF THE WOOD is common in 

 most parts of northern Europe, arid was once to be found in 

 Scotland and Ireland. The male is a large "bird, almost 

 equalling a Turkey in size, but the female is considerably 

 smaller. In the early spring, before the snow has left the 

 ground, this singular bird commences his celebrated " play." 

 This play is confined to the males, and intended to give 

 notice of their presence to the females who are in the neigh- 

 bourhood. " During the play," says Lloyd, " the neck of the 

 Capercaillie is stretched out, his tail is raised and spread like 

 a fan, his wings droop, his feathers are ruffled up, and in short 

 he much resembles in appearance an angry turkey-cock. He 

 begins his play with a call something resembling pcllcr, pcllcr, 

 pellcr ; these sounds he repeats at some little intervals, but 



