THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 
BRITISH GAME BIRDS 
Order: GAL LIN 
Genus : Tetrao (Linnasus) 
The Capercaillie are large birds and comprise four distinct species, all of which inhabit 
the northern forests of Europe and Asia, namely, the Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus, 
whose range is defined below ; the Ural Capercaillie, Tetrao uralensis, a much paler 
bird, with breast and belly almost white, found throughout the Urals ; the Slender-billed 
Capercaillie, Tetrao parvirostus, a species that takes the place of T. urogallus, to the 
north-east of Lake Baikal, but not so far as Kamtschatka ; and the Kamtschatkan 
Capercaillie, Tetrao kamtschaticus, where, as its name implies, it is only known. The 
middle pair of feathers of the tail are much longer than the other pairs, so that the 
tail has a rounded wedge-shaped appearance when spread. No inflatable air-sacs nor 
neck-tufts in the male, nor are the outer flight feathers attenuated. 
THE CAPERCAILLIE 1 
Tetrao urogallus, Linnseus 
Local Names. — Capercally, Caillie, Capercailzie, Cock of the Woods, Caper, Capercaille (Argyll) ■ Caber- 
coille (bird of the woods), Gabur-coille (goat of the wood) [Gaelic) ; Ceiliog coed (cock of the wood) 
( Welsh) ; Tiur {Norwegian) ; Thiadur, Tjadar, Tedur, Tjalur, Tjoddur, Tidder, Tjur-lian {Swedish) ; 
Coq du bois (French) ; Auerhahn (male), Auerhuhn (female) (German) ; Gludar (Russian). 
Adult Male. — Bill strong, well hooked, bone colour; head, neck, nape, and lower 
back, slate-grey with fine black markings ; scapulars and wing coverts, brown ; primaries, 
dark brown ; tail, rounded and black with white bars and pencillings ; chest, dark glossy 
green ; lower parts, black, or black well edged with white ; chin, black ; flanks, slate- 
grey, the longer feathers broadly edged with white, legs well-covered with hair-like brown 
feathers ; over the eye there is a broad scarlet comb, which becomes much swollen 
in spring. The toes are well fringed at the sides. Length, 35 to 40 inches ; wing, 
14.5 inches to 16 inches. Weight, 9 to 12 lbs. 2 On the shoulder of both male and 
female there are one or two pure white feathers, which are very evident in life. 
1 The meaning of the word Capercaillie is somewhat doubtful. It has been variously translated as originating from gobur 
(horse), cabhar (an old man), gabur (a goat), and coilk (a wood). 
2 I have weighed over roo British specimens and a few Russian ones. r2 lbs. is the largest Scotch male I have 
weighed, and 14 lbs. a Russian example. 
A 
