240 Wonders of the Bird World 



to impress on his intended bride tiie fact that there is 

 nothing in the bird-world that can compare with the show 

 of star-spangled plumes which his love for her impels him 

 to display. A remarkable show it is, but there are many 

 birds which go through an equally wonderful exhibition of 

 love-making. Consider, for instance, the antics in which 

 many birds indulge in the courting season. Can there be 

 anything more curious than the infatuation which seems 

 to possess some of the Game-birds, like the Capercailie 

 {Tetrao tirogallus) and the Black-cock (^Lyrurus tetrix)} 

 Of the former bird we in England can know but little, as it 

 is entirely confined to the pine-forests of Scotland, where it 

 is now once more plentiful in certain districts. Although 

 an indigenous species in Britain, it was so badly protected 

 that it became extinct, just as it is, at the present time, 

 being exterminated by indiscriminate shooting in several 

 of its Norwegian habitats. Reintroduced by the Marquis 

 of Breadalbane, and protected by sensible game-laws, the 

 Capercailie flourishes in many parts of Scotland, and 

 there is now little fear that it will be again eliminated from 

 the rota of British birds. Unfortunately for the safety of 

 the male, he has the extraordinary habit of " leking," as it 

 is called, in the spring-time. He is extremely pugnacious, 

 and fights to the death for the sovereignty of the harem, so 

 that on some occasions two cock birds will fight with such 

 desperation that they become exhausted with the battle, 

 and both are captured by the hunter. It is only when two 

 old birds meet that such a battle-royal ensues, for the adult 

 male drives off all the younger ones, and reigns supreme 

 in his own district. It is then that he begins to " lek," 

 which but too often leads to his destruction, for the hunter, 

 who knows the habits of the bird, can then approach him 

 in his delirium, and kill him while in the full enjoyment of 

 his ecstasy. It is in the morning and evening that the 

 male Capercailie sings his love-song or "spel," seeking a 



