352 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Sub-family c. Trivyincc. 

 PIHLOMACIIUS. (Gr. 4>iA('yta;i;of, a lover of battles.) 



Pugnax (Lat. quarrelsome], the Ruff. 



forms, the male birds choose each for themselves a small spot, 

 on which no other bird is permitted to intrude without a severe 

 battle taking place. The females, called Reeves, now arrive, 

 and their approach is the signal for a general melee ; and the 

 ground is soon denuded of grass by the constant battles. 



The nest of the Reeve is merely a slight depression in a tuft 

 of grass. The eggs are four in number, of a greenish white 

 blotched with reddish brown. 



Great numbers of these birds are annually sent to the London 

 markets. Various precautions are taken to prevent their de- 

 structive quarrels from taking place, as captivity in no way 

 diminishes their pugnacity. 



THE JACANAS. 



The JACANAS are found in Asia, Africa, and America. Their 

 light bodies and widely extended claws enable them to walk 

 on the leaves of aquatic plants with equal ease and safety. 

 As their weight is just sufficient to sink the leaf a little below 

 the surface, they have all the appearance of walking on the 



