138 FOREST CREATURES. 



The hen is so different from the cock as to require a 

 separate description. Her beak is of blackish colour : 

 the throat and breast of a rusty red, and on the breast 

 itself some white spots are sprinkled. Below and on 

 the belly reddish brown predominates, with dark brown 

 spots. The feathers of the tail are crossed with bars of 

 red-brown colour. 



The haunt of the capercaile is in large fir forests upon 

 hilly ground. It is also found in forests of deciduous 

 trees ; but, as soon as winter is come it flies off to the 

 dark and denser pine woods, to return again to its 

 former home when spring is about to appear. The 

 whole day the capercaile remains in the thicket ; but, 

 in the evening, in order to be safe from all enemies, it 

 flies to roost up into a neighbouring tree, with a great 

 rustle and fluttering. 



The habit enables the sportsman to learn his wherea- 

 bouts. But for this, it would be not so easy to find and 

 to get near him ; for the capercaile is a shy bird, and 

 conceals himself in the thicket and underwood. 



But there is a time when, for some moments at least, 

 his usual shyness and timidity are overpowered by other 

 feelings ; when, blinded by passion, he allows a foe to 

 approach towards him unnoticed and unheard. This is 

 in the pairing season, which begins at the end of March 

 or the beginning of April, according as the weather may 

 be favourable or inclement. 



