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of the mountain-ash are as large as the bird's own foot ; ' but in parts of the country the peasants 

 entertain the notion that the cessation of his spel is dependent on other causes than the state of 

 the weather. They say that ' every time he holds his spel he plucks away one of the homy scales 

 growing about his toes, and that it is not until they are all gone that his spel terminates.' 



" The Capercali occasionally strikes up a few notes about Michaelmas ; but his spel at that 

 time is not of long continuance. I myself never then heard him spel ; but many a chasseur has 

 assured me that they have shot him whilst in full play. The Jagmastare Lindberg tells us, 

 indeed, that he himself has known more than twenty cocks to be thus shot in the autumn — the 

 greater part of them in September, but some also in October. Why the Capercali should spel 

 at this time of the year is matter of speculation with many in Sweden. M. Grieff suggests it 

 may be for the purpose of showing the young birds the situation of the ' lek-stdlle.' 



" During the pairing-season the Capercali is very pugnacious ; and fierce combats are then 

 common between the rival males. These always take place on the ground, and for the most 

 part on some little eminence, free from brushwood or other obstruction. The birds when 

 charging each other spring high in the air in the manner of game-cocks; and whilst striking 

 with their wings, tear one another with their claws. Their bills are also brought into play ; and 

 he that succeeds in getting such fast hold of his opponent as to pin him to the ground, in which 

 position he punishes him severely, usually comes off the victor. Whilst the fight lasts (and it is 

 often of long continuance), the combatants not unfrequently snap their bills together with great 

 force, the noise of which, together with that caused by the blows inflicted with their wings, may, 

 in clear and calm weather, be heard at a very considerable distance. 



" During these duels the birds are not unfrequently so blinded by rage as to be altogether 

 forgetful of their own safety ; and if due precaution be used they may be captured by the hand, 

 of which more than one instance is on record. 



" ' Some years ago,' says Ekstrom, ' a servant of mine, in company with another man, left 

 home one spring morning to cut wood in the forest. When arrived there they saw two Capercali 

 cocks fighting desperately on a rising ground. Neither of the men having a gun or other weapon, 

 my servant at once sprang forward and threw himself on the combatants ; but his comrade being 

 somewhat timid did not come to his aid, and he was only able to retain one of the birds, which 

 he brought home to me.' 



"When the pairing-season is over, or even previously, the females retire to their several 

 breeding-grounds. These comprise not only the great pine-forests of the lowlands, but those 

 clothing the lower slopes of the fjalls. We are told, indeed, by M. Barth, that ' on two occa- 

 sions, during the autumn of 1862, he met with broods of Capercali in small patches of willow on 

 the high fjalls themselves, and at a considerable distance above the last birch tree.' 



" The female makes her nest (which is a mere hole scraped in the ground) under a tree or 

 bush. The eggs, numbering from five or six to twelve or fifteen, according, as it is believed, to 

 the age of the bird, are of a dirty yellow colour, marked with light-brown spots and blotches. 

 In length they are 2yg- inches, and in thickness If inch. 



" The period of incubation is said to be a month. The young, usually hatched about the 

 beginning of June, keep with the mother until towards the approach of winter, or even longer ; 

 but the cock separates from her at a much earlier period." 



