THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
more sheltered woods, their plumage sometimes becomes so drenched that 
they are unable to rise out of the long heather where they have taken refuge. 
Position of legs during flight, — In flight the legs are always fully 
extended beneath the tail, as in all other game-birds. It is desirable 
to emphasize this point, for it has been stated in print by a recog- 
nized authority on the subject that the legs are tucked up under the body 
in flight. As a matter of fact the Passerine birds, such as sparrows, crows, 
and the hosts of small birds included in that order, are probably the only 
group that do not extend the legs under the tail in flight. The Picarian 
birds, such as the woodpeckers, nightjars, and swifts, may also tuck them 
up, but on this point we are uncertain, their legs being so short that 
it is very difficult to observe their position. All the hawks, cormorants, 
gannets, swans, ducks, cranes, storks, herons, bustards, waders, gulls, 
petrels, rails, divers, grebes and pigeons, as well as the game-birds, fly 
with the legs fully extended behind, only bringing them forward when 
about to alight. 
Breeding habits. — ^The pairing -habits of the capercaillie are very interest- 
ing, and somewhat similar to those of the black grouse, but the meeting 
place of the males is generally some particular pine-tree known as the 
“ leking place,” though a flat-topped rock in the forest is sometimes 
selected. Here, in the months of April and May the male may be seen at 
dawn and sunset with outstretched neck, drooping wings, and tail erected 
and spread like a fan, uttering his “ spel ” or love-song. This consists of 
three notes, likened by Lloyd to the sounds pellep^ klickop and hede, each being 
repeated several times. Towards the end of the song, the bird turning 
his head backwards and giving vent to extraordinary noises, works him- 
self up into such a state of blind excitement, that he is oblivious to the 
world. Mr Millais states that the love -song is divided into three parts : 
firstly, klick-kleck repeated at intervals, and gradually increasing in 
speed ; secondly, a sound like the drawing of a cork from a bottle ; 
thirdly, in the moments of extreme excitement, noises like those made 
by the grinding of a knife on a stone, or of two cats fighting! 
The whole performance lasts for two or three minutes, and is often 
immediately repeated. The hens meanwhile remain on the ground beneath 
the tree, and are paired with by the victorious male who has challenged 
and driven off all comers. Only the older cocks “ spel,” the younger and 
weaker birds being driven from the field. Tremendous fights take place 
for the sovereignty of each harem, and both combatants may sometimes 
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