EAKL RAVENSWORTH ON THE CAPERCAILZIE. 335 



might be naturalized in certain localities of Northumberland, and 

 where large tracts of Pine wood exist upon the edge of moors 

 and wild crags, on which nourish many berry bearing plants, 

 such as the blaeberry, crowberry, and others, which supply a 

 favourite food to the kindred species of Blackcock and Grouse. 



Extensive woods of Fir and Larch, and undisturbed privacy, 

 nigh to a lofty situation, seem to be the main conditions requi- 

 site for the asylum of the Capercailzie. These conditions are 

 found in the great woods of Thrunton and Callaly Crags, and the 

 still larger extent within the limits of Hulne Park and Brislee 

 Hill, with the adjacent woods of Eoughlee and Burslee, near 

 Eglingham. 



I now proceed to describe the ill success that has hitherto frus- 

 trated my attempts to turn out these game birds in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Eslington Park. In the year 1872 we reared three 

 birds, one cock and two hens, from half-a-dozen eggs which I 

 got from Perthshire. They were turned into a young plantation 

 and by some unaccountable accident the male bird was destroyed. 

 Thus we were left with two hens, which in the following spring 

 laid a quantity of eggs in confinement. Of course they were 

 barren, so we had them for breakfast, and very good they were. 

 I dare say the two hens laid fully twenty eggs. 



In that year, 1873, we got two more settings of eggs, from 

 which a good many chicks were hatched ; but the summer was 

 very wet, and all our young birds perished after arriving nearly 

 to maturity. I may here state that the Capercailzie seems very 

 impatient of wet, and in rain they are always accustomed to seek 

 shelter under the thickest trees or the coop in which their foster 

 parents are confined. This seems remarkable, because assuredly 

 in the northern regions where they most abound they must be 

 exposed to a great deal of rain and snow. In 1874 we tried 

 again, and reared to their full growth four fine birds, two of 

 each sex, of which one noble bird still survives quite tame and 

 familiar, having always had his full liberty. Of the rest the 

 cock and one hen died, and the second hen was killed by her 

 mate in the ardour of his advances. 



The two original hens had also died, so in 1875 only this one 



