1891.  Scotland.
Sept 12
(No. 5)
Larbert, Sterlingshire. - On reaching the crest of 
the hill we took positions on the edge of the
woods which were composed almost wholly of
oaks twenty to thirty feet in height and growing
rather thickly with, however, several openings where 
the ground was covered with rank ferns. My stand
was under the shade of a tall ash on the outer
side of a wall five feet or so in height and
"banked" on the side towards the woods. Some
beaters (four men and two boys, with a retriever
dog) had been sent around to the other side
of the woods and it was not long before we
heard them coming for each man and boy was 
provided with a stout stick which he rapped
sharply on the trunks of the trees that he passed.
  The live of beaters was within 200 yards of us
before anything appeared near my stand. First
of all came the bird of which we were in quest,
a Capercaille. He advanced at a rapid yet
stately walk carrying his head high. When within
about forty yards he stopped, fortunately in a
little opening where the sun struck fairly on
his dark neck and breast. Up to this moment
I had taken him for a cock Pheasant but now that
he stood erect and stretched up his neck to its 
full length I recognized him at once.  He looked
nearly as large as a hen Turkey and very black.
After standing perfectly motionless for a few seconds
he took wing, rising very lightly and silently and
circling back towards the beaters without giving 
me any chance for a shot. A little later