124 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
Famiry TETRAONIDA. 
CAPERCAILLIE. 
TrrRaAo uROGALLUS, Linn. 
Pl. XVIIL., fig. 3. 
Geogr. distr.—From Northern to Contral Europe, extending east- 
ward far into Asia: formerly common in Great Britain, but now 
comparatively rare, though probably increasing in numbers; it breeds 
in the Highlands of Scotland. 
Food.—Insects, seeds, berries, soft buds of pines, foliage of firs, 
leaves, &c. 
Nest.—A mere hole scratched in the earth by the hen bird. 
Position of nest.—In the clearer parts of pine-foresis in moun- 
tainous regions ; under the shelter of a tree or bush. 
Number of eggs.—5-15. 
Time of nidification.—V-VI1. 
This species, which had become extinct in the British 
Islands, was introduced into Taymouth in the year 1837 by 
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton; so successful was he, that in 
1863 the number of birds on the estate were estimated 
at 2000. ‘From Taymouth, the centre of restoration, and 
all along the Tay Valley, as far as Dunkeld, Capercaillies 
spread, and, although Perthshire still remains the head- 
quarters, Forfarshire ranks not far behind. In Fifeshire, 
where the woods are of smaller extent, the species is more 
local, and in Kinross-shire, where there are no extensive 
pine-woods, it is comparatively rare. It is merely a 
strageler to Clackmannanshire, but through Stirlingshire 
it is advancing, and will probably extend in time to the 
southern counties of Scotland by that route.”—(Howard 
Saunders, in Yarrell’s Hist. Brit. Birds, ed. 4., vol. i11., p. 50.) 
The Capercaillie is a polygamous bird, pairing in April 
and May, in which months,” says Seebohm, ‘the males 
devote themselves almost entirely to love and war. The 
scene of operations is usually a favourite pine tree, con- 
spicuous from its position on an eminence, or in an open 
part of the forest, but it is said that a flat-topped rock in 
the forest is sometimes chosen as the lek-stille, or ‘laking- 
place.’ Just before sunrise, and immediately after sunset, 
are the times chosen by the male to repair to the ‘ laking 
place’ which he has frequented for years.” ‘Only the 
strongest birds are allowed to ‘spel,’* the younger and 
weaker ones being obliged to stand aside until they have 
fought their way into the privileged circle.’—(Hist. Brit. 
Birds, vol. il., pp. 441, 442.) 
* A name given to the love-song. 
