THE GAPBRCAILLIE. 



487 



its head resting on its shoulders. It has the reputation of being exceedingly gentle and 

 amiable, and is more tame and more disposed to be domestic than any other, even permitting 

 one to take it up by the hand. Its movements are habitually slow and deliberate. 



The Capercaillie, also known by the names Cock of the Woods, Mountain Cock, 

 Auerhahn, and Capercailzie, is now mostly frequently found in the northern parts of Europe, 

 Norway and Sweden being very favorite homes. 



The CapercaiUie is celebrated, not only for its great size and the excellence of its fiesh, 

 but for its singular habits just previous to and during the breeding season. Mr. Lloyd has 

 given so excellent an account of these curious proceedings, that they must be told in his own 

 words : — 



CAPERCAn.LIE.— 7V<?-oo urogaUus. 



" At this period, and often when the ground is still deeply covered with snow, the cock 

 stations himself on a pine and commences his love song, or play, as it is termed in Sweden, to 

 attract the hens about him. This is usually from the first dawn of day to sunrise, or from a 

 little after sunset until it is quite dark. Tlie time, however, more or less depends upon the 

 mildness of the weather and the advanced state of the season. 



"During his 'play,' 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 

 an angry turkey-cock. He begins his play with a call something resembling Peller ! peller ! 



