8 The Natural History of British Game Birds 
3000 acres of larch and fir woods, the Capercaillie had been overshot. During the first 
years we seldom killed more than 50, and I gradually increased the stock of hens till 
we left in 1892, when the usual bag was about 150. Other places where Capercaillie 
are numerous are Dunkeld, Logierait, Ballinluig, Dalguise, Methven, Ochtertyre, Monzie, 
Tulliallan, and Easter Ogle (Forfarshire). 
As a rule the Capercaillie is found seated high up in a larch or Scotch fir. It has 
excellent power of hearing, and generally takes alarm in open woods before the gunner 
or driver comes within shot. Then it launches itself into the air, much after the manner 
of the cormorant, dropping several feet before flapping its large wings. In thick cover 
it makes a loud flapping noise as it clears the surrounding branches, and is then per- 
fectly silent. The flight is rapid, easy, and " swinging." It makes several swift beats 
of the wings, and then " sails " for a considerable distance ; whilst passing over and 
through trees it is constantly swaying from side to side to avoid obstacles. In this 
respect of swift guidance it is the superior of any of the Gallince, and its movements 
are so easy, noiseless, and rapid, that many a shooter new to the sport fails to detect 
the large birds as they pass him. I introduced my friend, Mr. George Lodge, the artist, 
to Capercaillie shooting at Stobhall, and the first bird he killed he mistook for a wood- 
cock until he picked it up. The rapidity of flight is about equal to red and black 
grouse. I have frequently seen all these species in the air at once coming to the guns, 
and there appeared to be no difference in speed, although the Capercaillie were doing 
nothing but " sail." This steady gliding movement is deceitful. I once put my old 
friend, Archie Wortley, a first-class shot, in a place where I knew he would obtain 
an old cock, if there was one about. He obtained three chances and missed all, 
entirely misjudging, as he confessed, the pace. Once he had killed one, however, 
he was a fine performer, and we had many happy days together in the Perthshire 
forests. 
Capercaillie, when travelling from the low to the high grounds, generally find it 
necessary to make one or two little circles in the air before leaving the wood. This is 
performed in order to find the necessary elevation for the point of final rest, so that 
no great effort may be made during flight. They do not seem able to fly uphill except 
on slight gradients. It is a pretty sight to observe one preparing to start on a long 
journey. Once I saw a hen leave a high hill above the Stenton cliffs. After several 
preliminary circles she rested on the tree again, and then rising again in widening 
circles she attained an elevation of at least 100 feet above the trees, and then made 
her point towards Craigie Barns, a lofty hill above Dunkeld, about five miles away. 
Coming suddenly to the end of wood, a Capercaillie will often "shoot" uphill for 
a considerable distance, being borne forward by the impetus of flight, just as a 
peregrine "lifts" after a "stoop." Then it nearly always returns to the wood 
and alights. On still days it makes a slight noise, as of a duck passing overhead, 
with the beats of its wings. The hen bird rises neatly from the ground on hillsides, 
but makes almost as much noise as the cock when breaking out of cover. In flight the 
feet are drawn up close to the body as soon as the bird is fairly launched into the air. 
When about to fly .their actions are deliberate and performed without fuss, even 
when suddenly surprised. 
