THE CAPERCAILE. 145 



with an indiflference which clearly shows they are 

 unconscious of any hurt. In the enthusiasm of a battle^ 

 wounds we know are often received without beings felt. 

 Here, as with the lower animals, an over-excited state 

 is the source of this indifference to bodily injury ; with 

 them however it arises from one particular excitement 

 only ; and it would be curious to discover how and in 

 what degree the feverish, electric state, the state of 

 tension in which every nerve and fibre then is, can 

 make the effect of a severe injury less likely to prove 

 fatal. It would almost seem as if, at such times, nature 

 suddenly supplied, by her own mysterious alchemy, new 

 forces to sustain the ebbing life ; and sent into and 

 through every muscle and nerve and vein a subtle 

 searching fluid to rouse the sinking will and give again 

 vigorous power and endeavour. 



The pairing season lasts four or five weeks. As soon 

 as the birch trees begin to bud it is over. The cock 

 then ceases to utter a sound in the morning, and unless 

 you hear his call, it is impossible to approach him. 



The listening for the bird at evening, the expedition 

 during the night to the spot where you know he will be, 

 his call at early morning, the pleasure of watching him 

 as he moves round in his stately love-dance, as well as 

 the hopes and fears attendant on the second or two of 

 your intermittent approach — all tends to make the 

 pursuit of the Capercaile one of interest and excitement, 



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