G 
CAPERCAILLIE. 
three or four drives were made, with the result that might naturally have been expected, and only a few 
hens passed within sight of my stations, not a single cock bird coming in view while I remained on the 
hill. On the return of the beaters, I ascertained that they had discovered a couple of old males fi^htin® 
desperately in an open space in the densest part of the forest, and had run in and attempted to capture 
them. If these thoughtless individuals had only watched the conflict and sent one of their number off 
to give information, both birds might have been procured, as I was not more than a quarter of a mile away 
and their battles frequently last a considerable time. I learned in Dunkeld that two fine old cocks had 
been caught hy some labourers on the highroad, where they were picked up almost entirely disabled 
having fought till both combatants were incapable of making an effort to escape. The same men were 
awaiting my arrival on the 22nd, and we agreed, after one or two drives, that I should try to obtain a 
shot by going quietly through some parts of the woods not yet disturbed. The wmather was now fine 
and clear, and at the first drive about fifty birds passed over, one third of the number being cocks ; not 
one of the latter, however, came within range. Just at the conclusion of the second drive, which was 
also a failure, I happened to catch a glimpse, through an opening in the forest, of an old cock aligbtino' 
in one of the lai’gest larches in the forest. Ilex-e lie remained perfectly motionless drawn close up to 
the massive stem, and although one of the beaters passed below and actually struck the tree wdtli his 
stick, the bird took not the slightest notice. As he seemed likely to stop some time, I called all the men 
together just within sight of him, giving directions for them to keep moving about and getting their lunch 
ready so as to draw his attention. I then started off, picking my way carefully down one gully and 
stalking with the utmost caution up another, which led right below the tree ho had selected, and having 
taken the bearings correctly there was no necessity to look up till w^ell within range. As I expected, 
he was now intently regarding the actions of the group of beaters, and the first intimation of mv approach 
that he received was a charge of No. 1 shot, which brought him as dead as a stone to the roots of the 
tree. On examination he proved to be a fine old bird, slightly cut about the head by fighting, but by 
no means damaged as a specimen. Capercaillies are stated to be remarkably tough and strong, requiring 
a severe wound to disable them ; and this I can readily believe, as a fine old male I fired at while posted 
for a drive on the summit of a ridge of rocks at least three hundred feet in height, fell as if struck lifeless 
to the foot of the cliffs among large blocks of stone, and still retained sufficient vitality to flutter away 
and escape when one of the beaters descended to bring him back* *. I should have imagined that the 
foice of the fall alone w'ould have been sufficient to break every bone in his body, as he pitched down 
apparently killed by the effects of the charge of shot. On the following day, the 23rd, our number 
of beaters w\as considerably reduced, and wJiilc proceeding along the ridge of the hill at the summit of 
Logierait I wms enabled to ascertain the damage caused by the large flocks of Capercaillie. On over 
half a mile of the forest the whole of the young shoots of the Scotch firs were eaten off and destroyed, 
the tiees being apparently utterly ruined. I learned from the keepers that in winter, wJien the ground 
was covered with snow, these birds occasionally colleot into immense bodies in this locality, and that it 
was at this time the greatest amount of mischief was done to the young trees. Just as w'e reached the 
Culdares, from ■whom I formerly hired the shootings of Innerwick in Glenlyon, happened to be driving along the road near Logierait and 
perceiving so many men prepared for shooting at this season had pulled up in order to ascertain what was intended to be done. On being informed 
they were awaiting my arrival to assist in obtaining some specimens of Capercaillie, he let them know at once that I only required birds shot hy 
my own gun. The breechloaders they had brought were then immediately taken over to the Inn at Logierait and no signs of the mistake that 
had o^ccurred could he detected on my arrival, all the men being provided with the strong heavy sticks commonly used for beating. 
* I invariably proceed myself, with both barrels charged, to pick up a valuable specimen that has fallen if it appears wounded, but in this 
instance life seemed extinet. 
