New-York tribune., 1890-05-04
SWEDISH GAME BIRDS FOR AMERICA.

washington di,pa ch to The ST. Louis Globe Democrat
There is something Of interest to sportsmen n a
rroort inst received At the state Dcpar mcni from
Minister Thomas. at stockholm. The Minister pro
pose - nirolucc into this country the capercallkc
ana the black game. These arr The TWO most I'M,
po.tant birds OF sweden and Norway. In the ill
and the winter they are 20 be seen hanging on
branches ~ The market places ut Ntockholm.
The capercaizic Is the largest aud noblcst mem
Der Of the grouse family. The fuu grown male weighs
hardy biri. In sweden and Norway he Is found IN
large numbers up 10 and beyond the arctic circle.
~ the seventeen parallel Of north latitude.
IL, can endure The everest cold and dccpcs' SHOWS
II the longest winters He often AVOID, the bttcrcSt
ood hy burrowin4 INTO the snow. 'hus obtaining
hi, bird -ubs.t- on the coarsc,t and commoncst
food He feed, upon the buds and leaves of trees.
he needles lcavcs OF the pine and spruce young
pine cones clover and grass. berries ~ all sorts.
.ccd and grain. and insects of every kind In the
depth Of winter 4 capcrrailzc has been known 10
lvo for more than weeh IN the same pine tree.
subss'lns entirely upon pine leaves and Young Pine
The capercaillic is prccmincntiy bird Of the pine
wood. or pine mixed with birch, spruce, maple and
other grrhs lie loves wooded hlll side, better than
either n brook pond piece Of swampy ground.
He /, "A local. not migratory bird, though sometimes
iensivc wnnderngs In his habit, he much resembles
the American ruGicd grouse though in size he is
The black game inhablts nearly the same region as
the capcrcnIlzie lie IS equally hardy and can with
stand the cold and SHOWS Of the most rigorous North
crn winters. iIs weight IS about three pounds
the same as our prairie chicken The male bird Is a
has, however a white stripe IN his wings, and his
jetback. outward curvng tail feathers much priced
hat ornament In the ryrOl.
The black game l. also grouse. and he l. often
found IN company with the capercallzie AT least
In close proximity. The black game Is also "A bird
II the woods, but the birch f. pre- cmincnty his tree
though he IS met with in mixed growths Of almost
every variety. He does not frequent the deep woods
mnch the capccailic he loves botter the borders
Of the forest and wood, and RrDves Wlth frequent
openings lie IS also fond Of cranberry swapS and IN
swampy lands IS often found miles away from any
forest.
Hi food IS much the rs the capercaiZcs though
not quit" coarse II consists chiefly OF the bud, aud
leaves Of trees berries aud insects In summer tho
black Is very fond Of blucbcrrcs Sphcrrcs and
cranberrics In winter hc feeds principally upon the
buds II the birch. hazel alder willow and beach. and
when pressed for od will eat the young green cones
OF the pine. This bird seems to be- equally fond of
animal food and readily eats snaIls worms, the larvae
Of ants. nics. beetles. etc.
He is more social bird than the capcrcailzlc. and
out into the fields and ccarrgs and nearer
the ahOdcs Of man.
II Is my firm conviction that these valuable birds
will thrive throughout al the wooded districts of New
England New York and Pennsylvania and westward
through the greater portion Of the states of Michigan
Wisconsin and Minnesota. They will also ind n con
genial home along the wooded slopes of the Rocky
Mountains for their entire length. as we'll rs In all tho
wooded ravines and dccllvties Of the mountain
Of California.