CAPERCAILLIE. 25 



contrivance they cannot well go astray in the forest. They thus proceed, occasionally 

 halting, and taking a fresh mark, until they come near to the spot where they have 

 reason to suppose the birds are roosting. They now carefully examine the trees, and 

 when they discover the objects of their pursuit, which are said stupidly to remain gazing 

 at the fire blazing beneath, they shoot them at their leisure. Should there be several 

 Capercaillie in the same tree, however, it is always necessary to shoot those on the 

 lower branches in the first instance : for, unless one of these birds falls on its companions, 

 it is said the rest will never move, and, in consequence, the whole of them may be 

 readily killed." 



It appears, however, that the most destructive operations are carried on against the 

 poor Capercaillie during the breeding-season. At this time the gunner, taking advantage 

 of the complete abstraction of the cock bird when at his 'play,' approaches carefully, 

 waiting always till the bird has nearly come to the end of his song, before venturing to 

 move; he is however only able to advance a few steps — three or four, and must there remain 

 like a statue, till the bird again arrives at the same point of his play, when another advance 

 of a few feet is made, and so on till he is within easy shot. As might be expected, 

 the poor cock Capercaillie is generally the only sufferer on these occasions; were it otherwise 

 the breed would soon become extinct. 



The food of the adult Capercaillie when wild, appears to consist chiefly of the leaves 

 of the Scotch fir, (Pinus sylvestris, Linnaeus, or Tal, as it is termed in Sweden;) while 

 the leaves of the common spruce fir, (Abies exeelsa, Lindley, called Gran in Sweden,) 

 are but very rarely eaten. The buds of the common birch, (Betula alba, Linnaeus,) also 

 afford it a portion of its subsistence during the months of winter. In the autumn it 

 eats the berries of the juniper, (Juniperus communis, Linnaeus;) the cranberry, (Oxycoccus 

 palustris, Persoon;) the wh or tie-berry, (Vaccinium uliginosum, Linnaeus;) and numerous 

 other berries which are at that time common in the forests. 



The food of the young birds is, like that of some of our other game birds, chiefly 

 confined to insects of various kinds, ants, worms, etc. 



When in a semi-domesticated state they require to be fed with corn ; probably any of 

 the cereals, or beans, or peas would be suitable; but they must also be supplied with 

 the twigs of the spruce fir, pine, and juniper, freshly gathered. On such diet as this 

 th ■•: have been kept in a healthy condition through the winter in a large loft in Dalecarlia; 

 but during the summer they had more libertv, and bred freelv.. 



As to the food suitable for the young birds reared in this domesticated condition, 

 Mr. Greiff makes the following judicious remarks: — "They are to be supplied with ants' 

 eggs in conjunction with the materials of which the hills of those insects are composed; 

 hard-boiled eggs are to be chopped and mixed amongst fine moistened barley-meal; also 

 pea-haulm and trefoil grass. They must have plenty of water, which must be placed so 



