CAPERCAILZIE. 
81 
tracts the females by his call, on some eminence 
or open spot, and, after that season has passed, 
retires and skulks to undergo the process of moult- 
ing ; the female alone performs the duties of in- 
cubation, and the brood continues with her until 
the males begin to change their plumage. Such, 
at least, is the information we draw from the 
works of those gentlemen who have had occasional 
opportunities of observing them. The poulterers, 
in London and Edinburgh, now import them in 
considerable quantities, along with the other nor- 
thern grouse, after tho season has terminated here, 
and, we rather think, that many must be then 
procured after the season of courtship has com- 
menced. In this present spring (1840), several pairs 
were for sale in the latter city, and in very good 
condition, and one guinea was the price asked for 
a male in a tolerable state of plumage. We have 
also received specimens from Newcastle, where 
we understand the importation is frequent at a 
similar period. They may be brought to table as 
a curiosity, but those we have tasted were coarse 
and highly flavoured with the fir; but during 
summer they may lose this, and the young birds 
may be very palatable. 
Before passing from this species, we must shortly 
notice the Tetrao medius of authors, of which 
there are slight indications of its having once 
existed in Scotland, and, if the supposition of 
those ornithologists who consider it as a hybrid 
between the Capercailzie and the black cock, be 
F 
