139

RUFF.

Tue roff is a very singular bird in its appearance;
certainly one of the most so that we have in this coun-
try. It is chiefly remarkable for tbe ruff-like circlet of
feathers round its neck, from whence it derives its name.
It is also remarkable in another respect, namely, that
no two individuals are alike in the colouring of their
plumage in this part. Moreover, the female, called the
reeve, is without the ruff, which therefore only distin-
guishes the male bird.

-Owing to the great demand for these birds for the
table, and for preservation of the stuffed skin, the
abundant use of guns, the invasion by population of
their haunts, and, perhaps, the drainage of the marshy
vicinage of some parts of the coast, they are become far
less numerous than they used to be, especially in ancient
times, when they were very abundant.

The prevailing colour of the plumage of the ruff is
brown, inclining in some specimens to rufous, and in
others to grey.

The ruff is so pugnacious that Linnzus conferred upon
him the surname of ‘the warlike. Their contests are
frequent and mortal; and, so intent are they on mutual
destruction, that they allow the fowlers to take them in
nets rather than desist: Even in confinement, they evince
their untameable animosity; nor is it till they are fairly
matched that they become peaceable and sedate.

This bird weighs seven ounces, and is one foot in
length. They nestle in tufts of grass in fens, and have
four white eggs, marked with rusty spots. They are