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but when flushed invariably takes refuge in a tree, rarely on its top, however, as some tell us, 

 but generally about halfway up, and amongst the most leafy of the branches. Where these 

 birds roost during summer and autumn I know not ; but in the winter time there is reason to 

 believe they often pass the night in the snow. In Finland, Mr. Wilhelm von Wright tells us, 

 the Hazel-Hen is found in larger or smaller packs, according to their greater or less abundance 

 in the district. It is not for me, of course, to question the accuracy of so good an observer ; but 

 singularly enough I myself never saw or heard of more than a single family in company. 

 Sweden, however, is not Finland ; and the habits of birds may vary in different countries. In 

 Scandinavia the Hazel-Hen is classed as a standfogel, or stationary bird ; and beyond doubt it is 

 about the most so of the genus Tetrao. The Capercailzie and the Blackcock, as shown, occa- 

 sionally migrate, for a time at least, from the locality where they were bred; but not so with 

 the Hazel-Hen, which would seem pretty much to confine itself to one district. Such at least is 

 the result of my experience, which has been considerable ; for, when roaming the forest, a day 



seldom passed that we did not meet with some of these birds Its food in the autumn 



consists of worms, larvae, and the various berries with which the Scandinavian forests abound ; 

 but in the winter, when the snow lies deep on the ground, it subsists chiefly on the tender tops 

 of the birch and the alder, especially the latter. I have then also found in their crops the stalks 

 and tops of the bleaberry. The pairing-season usually commences at the end of March or beginning 

 of April, though the time is somewhat dependent on the state of the weather. The sexes attract 

 each other by a peculiar and almost melancholy cry, that of the male consisting of a long-drawn 

 whistle, followed by a chirp ti hih ti ti ti ti ; whilst that of the female is more simple, being often 

 only a single sustained tih, vibrating or quivering towards its termination. 



" The Hazel-Hen is readily domesticated. We are told, for instance, by Mr. Wilhelm von 

 Wright that ' as an aviary bird it is beyond every thing tame and amusing to its owner. The 

 more people are about, the sooner will it become reconciled to confinement. The first days of its 

 captivity, however, it will not eat any thing, but endeavours to conceal itself in a corner of its 

 prison-house ; for which reason it is best to leave it to itself, after placing food and water before 

 it. Red whortleberries and juniper-berries are the best to give it in the first instance; but 

 hemp-seed, barley, buck wheat, and other kinds of grain it eats with avidity after it has once 

 partaken of them. To induce it to eat, some berries should be put in the vessel containing the 

 water, which it is then sure to observe. As with domestic fowls, it eats, when in confinement, 

 meat, whether raw or boiled. It should be constantly supplied with dry sand placed in a box, 

 or something similar, as it daily ' dusts ' itself. Thus provided, especially should the sun shine, 

 it forms for itself a hole with its beak in the sand, which it throws over its body. Afterwards it 

 lies first on one side and then on the other, or, it may be, on its back, and with its eyes half shut. 

 Oftentimes it mounts on some little elevation in the coop and whistles. One is seldom fortunate 

 enough to rear the chicks when taken very young, most probably because the proper food cannot 

 be procured for them.' " 



M. Sachse informs us that they are sometimes caught in the snares set for Fieldfares, and 

 baited with berries ; and snares are also placed for them, in sticks bent in a bow-shape and stuck 

 in the ground. 



The eggs of the Hazel-Hen are rather elongated in shape, tapering slightly towards the 



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