CAPERCAIL'ZIE, CAPERCAILLIE, WOOD-GROUSE, Or COCK OF UTE WOODS (tetra° vro gallus), the largest of the gallinaceous birds of Europe. It is a species of grouse (q.v.), almost equal in size to the turkey; the male, which is the largest, sometimes weighing fifteen pounds or more. In figure and appearance, it much resembles the but the tail of the male C. is rounded, and not forked, as in that species; and the male C. has the feathers of the head elongated. The general color of the adult male is brownish black, minutely freckled with grayish white, and with lighter brown; the quill-feathers dark brown; the tail-feathers nearly black, some of the longer tail-coverts on the sides of the tail tipped with white; the chest is of a shining dark green; there is a small scarlet patch of naked skin above the eye, and the bill is 'whitish. The general color of the female and of males is dark brown, freckled with yellowish brown; the front of the neck and the chest are yellowish chestnut; and the feathers of the under parts are generally edged with white. The C. has the feet feathered to the toes, but the to are naked. It is an inhabitant of pine-woods; feeds on berries, seeds, worms, insects, etc., and on the young shoots of the pine, greatly preferring the Scotch fir to the spruce; occasionally also eating, at least in winter, the buds of the birch and other trees. The female makes her nest on the ground, and lays from six to twelve eggs, of a
pale reddish or yellowish brown, spotted with other shades of brown, and more than 2 in. long. Like the black-cock, the C. is polygamous.—The geographical dis tribution of the C. is very extensive: it is found on the pine-covered mountains of all parts of Europe, from Spain and Italy almost to the North cape, and is abundant in the northern parts of Asia. It was at one time found both in Scotland and Ireland, but was completely extirpated about the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century. Through the exertions, however, of the earl of Fife and other proprietors of great High land estates, but particularly of the marquis of Breadalbane, it has again been restored to the forests of the Highlands of Scottand. The C. is very capable of domestication, and breeds readily, if allowed the range of a space containing a few pine-trees. It is much esteemed for the table. The market of Stockholm is well supplied with it in win ter; and since the establishment of steam communication, it has been regularly brought from Scandinavia to London.