GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. l8l 



expeditions to any great distance from their native haunts. During the period of incubation they Uve 

 alone or in pairs, but at other times in parties, which often unite into large flocks. Their food 

 consists of fruits, seeds, the young shoots of plants and trees, insects, and larva. Some species are 

 polygamous, but many pair ; in the latter case, at least, both males and females assist in rearing the 

 young. Although by no means highly endowed, the Tetraones have their sense of sight and hearing 

 well developed. They walk quickly, but fly heavily, and \vith much noise, resorting but rarely to this 

 means of progression, and never rising to any height in the air. The increase of these birds is very 

 rapid, the female laying from eight to sixteen eggs, oval in shape, smooth, yellomsh, and spotted with 

 brown. No actual nest is prepared for their reception, a slight hollow in the earth, carelessly lined 

 with some soft material, being all that is required for the purpose, provided that the situation is 

 sufiiciently retired to secure the safety of the young. We are told by several Swedish naturalists that 

 not only are these birds subject, like their congeners, to many changes of plumage, but that they cast 

 their claws, and at the same time the homy firinges with which their toes are defended. 



THE CAPERCALL 



The Capercaillie, Capercailzie, or Capercalj {Tdrao urogallus), the largest and finest 

 species of the above group, is of a blackish hue on the crown of the head and throat ; the nape is 

 deep grey, marked with undulating black lines ; the back pale black, powdered with grey and reddish 

 brown ; the tail black, spotted here and there with white ; the breast glossy steel-green, and the rest 

 of the under side spotted more or less distinctly with black and white. The eye is brown, the bare 

 skin that surrounds it bright red, and the beak greyish white. This noble bird is from tsvo feet two 

 inches to two feet five inches long, its breadth being from four feet four inches to four feet seven 

 inches ; the ^ving measures from fifteen to seventeen, and the tail from thirteen to fourteen inches. 



" The Capercali," says Mr. Lloyd, " is to be found in most parts of the Scandinavian peninsula; 

 indeed, as far to the north as the pine-tree flourishes, that is to say, very near to the North Cape itself 

 These birds -are, however, very scarce in the more southern of the Swedish provinces. The favourite 

 haunts of the Capercali are extensive fir-woods. In coppices or small covers they are seldom or never 

 to be found." Professor Nilsson observes that such as breed in the larger forests remain there all the 

 year round, but those on the contrary that breed on the sides of elevated mountains, or in more open 

 parts of the country, in the event of deep snow, usually descend to the lower grounds. 



The principal food of the Capercali, when in a state of nature, consists of the leaves and tender 

 shoots of the Scotch fir {Pinus sylvestris). He very rarely feeds upon those of tiie spruce {Piiius 

 abies). He also eats juniper-berries, blue berries, and other berries common to the northern forests, 

 and also, occasionally in the winter time, the buds of the birch, &c. The young Capercali feed 

 principally at first on ants, worms, and insects. 



In the spring of the year, and often when the ground is still deeply covered with snow, the cock 

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

 attract the hens about him. This performance is usually carried on from the first da^vn of day to 

 sunrise, or from a little after sunset, until darkness has set in. The 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 Capercali 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 the words " Peller, peller, peller." These 

 sounds he repeats at first at some litde intervals ; but, as he proceeds, they increase in rapidity, until 

 at the last, and after perhaps the lapse of a minute or so, he makes a sort of gulp in his throat, and 

 finishes by drawing in his breath. During the continuance of this latter process, which only lasts a 



