Practical Game-Preserving. 236 



shelter of some thick bush or tree, and among long sedge 

 grass or heather, and is a rough structure after the manner 

 of the Black and the Red Grouse. The eggs number 

 from four to eleven, and require thirty days to incubate. 

 The hen alone sits, the male keeping guard. The young 

 are looked after and protected by both parents for some 

 time ; but the cock bird leaves the brood first and the hen 

 subsequently, generally when winter makes known its 

 approach. The capercailzie is monogamous. 



These game-birds have very similar food to that of 

 the Common Grouse; chiefly may be enumerated the 

 several sorts of cereals, when obtainable, black-, cran-, 

 and juniper berries, the leaves and shoots of fir, the 

 buds of the birch and willow and several other trees, and 

 a fair amount of insect-food. The young require various 

 insects, chiefly ants, and worms. 



Further particulars are unnecessary here; but I venture 

 to express the hope that all who can will endeavour to 

 assist to the best of their ability the eventual re-intro- 

 duction of this fine game-bird throughout all those parts 

 of the British Isles which are suitable to its existence. 

 Our list of game, both furred and feathered, is already 

 small enough, and we certainly cannot afford to curtail it. 



