16 CAPERCAILL1E. 



The year following, 1831, other eggs were produced, two of which were hatched by 

 the mother, and four by a common hen. The time of incubation in both instances was 

 twenty-nine days. Of these six but two survived after a few weeks, but they were alive 

 in the spring of 1832. What was their ultimate history we do not know. It does not 

 appear, however, that the experiment was altogether a successful one, though sufficiently 

 so to induce renewed endeavours to effect the wished-for object. 



In July, 1837, twenty-eight Capercaillies were presented to the Marquis of Breadalbane, 

 by Thomas Fowell Buxton, Esq., who had procured them from Sweden direct, by the 

 exertions of Mr. Lloyd, whose admirable work on the "Field Sports of Norway and 

 Sweden," contains much and valuable information on the habits of this bird. Mr. Buxton 

 having sent over his Irish gamekeeper, Lawrence Banville, with Mr. Lloyd, to Sweden, 

 that he might take charge of the birds collected for Mr. Lloyd, and bring them to Taymouth 

 Castle, the seat of the Marquis of Breadalbane, it will be interesting to give the keeper's 

 own account of his proceedings in the following extract from his journal, which we take 

 from Blaine's "Sural Sports:" — 



"Saturday, April 1st., 1837. Yesterday I took leave of my little family, started on 

 the coach to Norwich, and stayed there for the night. To-day I set out on the Ipswich 

 coach. I halted at this town for the night, and agreed for a boat to take me down 

 the river. — Sunday, April 2nd. This morning I set out, and arrived at the inn at 

 Harwich about twelve o'clock: the wind in the right quarter for us to sail to Sweden. — 

 Thursday, 6th. This day I helped to take Mr. Lloyd's things to a boat that was 

 going to the yacht; as I was getting into it, I slipped in, and hit my leg against one 

 of the thwarts of it: I hurt it very much. — Tuesday, 11th. This day we weighed 

 anchor. I was sick in a few hours, as also the following day. — Monday, 17th. After 

 a. somewhat cold and stormy passage, we this day made the Swedish coast, and got 

 on shore. — Thursday, April 20th. At nine o'clock on this day I gained the long-wished- 

 for spot, Mr. Lloyd's house near Venusburg, and all seemed as pleased to see L. Lloyd, 

 Esq. as I should be to see my worthy master after a long journey. There are thirteen 

 of those great birds for me to see in the morning. — Friday, 21st. This morning I was 

 up at an early hour, and saw the birds: they look well — only one hen, which I fear 

 will not be long here. L. Lloyd, Esq. went to Troulhatten after the men to come to 

 make the coops for the birds, which are about five feet in length, by three and a half 

 in breadth, with a division in each of them to enable me to clean them out on the sea 

 if all is well. This day I saw martins. — Thursday, 27th. This morning another cock 

 came to us: I was happy to see it; a fine bird it is. I was chiefly receiving the birds 

 this day. L. Lloyd and his men went out to fish. — Thursday, May 4th. This day I 

 am happy to say that there are three of the coops fit for my birds. — Friday, 5th. I 

 got the whole command of the birds this day. One old cock died yesterday. I shall 



