The male of this species is polygamous, and lives separate from the
females, except in the breeding season. Their manner and habits are very
like those of the black grous, except that this seems to be confined
wholly to forests of pine, on the tender shoots of which it feeds. It
was formerly to be met with in Scotland and Ireland, but is now extinct.
The female is said to lay from eight to sixteen eggs, of a white colour,
spotted with yellow, larger than those of our domestic fowl. Dr. Latham
says, he is well informed the nest of one found in Scotland was placed
on a Scotch pine; if so, it differs from all the genus, who are known to
lay their eggs on the bare ground.
It is not uncommon in the pine forests of Norway, whence we have
received it. It is also found plentiful in Russia and Siberia, in Italy,
and several parts of the Alps. It formerly frequented the fir woods of
Ireland and Scotland, and was last seen in 1760, in the woods of
Strathglass. It continued in Strathspey till 1745. Recent attempts have
been made to re-introduce the species from Norway without
success.—_Montagu._
CAPISTRUM, _s._ In ornithology, is a word used by Linnæus to express
the short feathers on the forehead just above the bill. In some
birds these feathers fall forward over the nostrils: they quite
cover those of the _crow_.
CAPIVI, _s._ A balsam. It has been lately introduced into veterinary
practice.
CAPON, _s._ A castrated cock.
The Chinese are said to be particularly skilful in this operation, the
outline of which, according to their mode, I give as a matter of
curiosity. The wings of the fowl are folded back till they meet, and the
left foot of the operator is placed upon them, the great toe of his
right foot pressing upon the legs to keep them fast. After pulling the
feathers, an incision is made, one inch long, and one inch from the
spine, obliquely downward and forward.
After the operation, instead of being melancholy, abashed, and
humiliated, the capon assumes a bold, lofty, and triumphant air; and
such is the influence of audacity over all animals, that his borrowed
courage completely imposes on the cocks and hens, and prevents them from
disturbing him in the fulfilment of his charge. At first, he is a little
awkward in the exercise of his office. His ambition, in imitating in his
gait, the majesty and dignity of the cocks, makes him carry his head too
stiff, and prevents him from seeing the chickens, which he sometimes
thus inadvertently tramples under foot. But experience soon teaches him
to avoid such mishaps, and accidents of the same kind do not occur
again.—_Moubray._
CAPRIOLE, _s._ _Caprioles_, in the old menage, are leaps such as
horses make in one and the same place, without advancing
forwards.
CAPSICUM, _s._ The pod from which cayenne pepper is produced; a
powerful stimulant.
CAR, _s._ A small carriage of burden.
CARABINE, or CARBINE, _s._ A small sort of musket. It is shorter in
the barrel and smaller in the bore.
CARAWAY, _s._ A plant.
The seeds are cordial and carminative, and from them an _essential oil_
is obtained for veterinary purposes. The dose is from half a drachm to a
drachm, and may be mixed either with ale, milk, or water, into a drench;
or formed into a ball with powdered liquorice, powdered ginger, and
honey.
Caraway is a useful cordial and carminative. The dose of _the seed_ is
about an ounce; to which may be added a drachm or two of powdered
ginger.
From twenty to thirty drops of oil of caraway are a useful addition to
aloes, making a purgative ball; or, as it is commonly termed, a dose of
physic.
Though the essential oil is the most convenient form for giving
caraways, it is not perhaps so grateful to the stomach, or likely to
produce so gradual or durable a stimulus as the recently powdered seeds.
Caraways lose their power by long keeping, especially in damp places.
When the essential oil is employed, the best manner of mixing it is to
rub it in a mortar with sugar and treacle, and to add the ale or water
gradually. Or it may be mixed in the proportion of one part of the oil
to two of spirit of wine, and kept as an essence of caraway: this, when
mixed with ale or water, will be more uniformly diffused through the
liquor than the oil alone, which will immediately float on the
surface.—_White._