278 Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
Here the man listens in profound silence until he hears the 
spel of the cock, then, for the most part, perched on or near to 
the top of a pine. Sheltering himself as much as possible 
behind trees and other cover, he stealthily approaches the 
bird ; but, owing to imperfect daylight and thickness of the 
wood, he is often unable to see it until close upon it. So long, 
however, as the first and second notes, krtappningen and klunken, 
last, he must remain stationary, and, if in an e.xposed situation, 
inunovable as a statue. But when the bird’s third note, sis- 
nmgen, commences, which, as said, continues only a very short 
time and in the while the bird is all but blind and deaf — he 
takes three to four steps, or rather strides, in advance, when he 
again halts. Should all remain perfectly quiet, however, the bird 
almost immediately recommences its spel, and, when it once 
more comes to sisningen, the man, as before, moves forward 
several steps ; and by thus alternately halting and advancing 
he at length arrives within gunshot of the Capercali, whose 
fate is then soon sealed. 
“ The Capercali during its spel is very watchful ; and the 
fowler must therefore be exceedingly guarded in his move- 
ments while thus stealing on it; and at such limes as the 
bird is heard, although not seen, he should, of all things, avoid 
looking about him. Want of caution on the part of the fowler 
in this matter has saved the lives of many Capercali. Its eye, 
indeed, is said to be so piercing as more readily to discover 
the face and liands of the man, if they be uncovered, than his 
person ; and some, therefore, deem it advisable not only to 
wear gloves but to hold down the head. 
“The fowler should also be careful never to advance until 
the sisningen has actually commenced, for an old Capercali 
cock that has previously started will, perhaps, when one Imagines 
it is on the very point of beginning the last-named note, 
suddenly stop in its spel ; and if one then advances, will 
rnost assuredly take wing. AVhen again the man halts after 
sisningen, it should be in an easy position ; so that, 
however long he may have to ivait before the bird recom- 
mences its spel, it will not be needful for him to change it for 
another. 
During the early part of the Spring, when the cock carries 
on his spel quite alone, he runs the greatest risk of his life ; 
