284 
BIRD-LIFE. 
with outstretched wings, half under and half on the sur¬ 
face of the water; and she is still eagerly pursued by both 
Drakes, until jealousy, more powerful even than love, 
sets them fighting. It is very pretty to watch Moorhens 
racing over the top of the water towards one another 
and attacking each other in a most determined manner 
with their feet. Grebes, Cormorants, Geese, Pelicans, 
all fight with pluck and temerity. 
Many birds entirely loose their usual caution and 
shyness during pairing time, and thus fall an easy prey 
to the hunter. One of our poets, while painting the 
follies of the Capercallie and their fatal results, reads us 
a good lesson at the same time. 
“ The cock of the wood courts his mates in the forest gay 
While strutting in ecstacy upon a fir branch high, 
And marks not the hunter’s stealthy tread ; 
Many thousands thus alas are caught, 
And losing Love and life as well 
Decsend to Pluto’s murky realms below.” 
Unfortunately Capercallies are not the sole victims of 
the female sex! Any sportsman who can imitate the 
Cuckoo’s call may decoy the bird on to the same tree 
under which he is standing, and thus, at his leisure, be 
enabled to observe the jealous creature, with outspread 
tail, hanging wings, and ruffled feathers, looking eagerly 
around to wreak vengeance on its rival, repeating its cry 
in the most vehement manner. The Wood Pigeon and 
Turtle Dove will also come to call in like manner. The 
shy Golden Oriole may be decoyed by a good imitation of 
its melodious whistle; as also the Pied Woodpecker, by 
tapping either the stock of one’s gun, or the dry limb of 
a tree, with a knife-handle or small stone. There are 
many other birds besides, whose natural jealousy is 
utilized by the sportsman. 
