200 The Irish Nat2iralisi. [August^ 



plumage.^ True it is that some few observers have pointed 

 out that the feathers of the upper parts vary also, and Sir R. 

 Payne Galhvey- mentions that the variation generally corre- 

 sponds in tint with the bird's " ruff." But when a number 

 of Ruffs in nuptial plumage are examined it will be founds 

 in the majority of cases, that not only do the feathers of 

 the neck and back vary correspondingl}' in colour, but also 

 those of the top of the head, the breast, and upper part of 

 the abdomen. Now, whilst I freely admit that no bird varies 

 as much in plumage as the Ruft, still I maintain that this 

 variation is restricted to certain definite limits, and so an 

 indefinite number of indiscriminate colours are prevented 

 from appearing. Were this not so it would be well nigh 

 impossible to offer an}' explanation for the cause of the 

 variet}^ in the nuptial plumage. It is highly important to 

 note that although the shades of the nuptial plumage differ 

 a good deal in intensity, nevertheless the fundamental 

 colours from which these are derived are few in number. 



Thus, out of a number of Ruffs examined onl}^ three 

 types of plumages can be recognized. These, however, are 

 decidedly distinct. They are :— those in which the predomi- 

 nating colour is (i.) Purple-black. (2.) Rich reddish brown. 

 (3.) Yellow, often mixed with white. According to Sir R. 

 Payne Gallwey the reddish brown is the most common, and 

 the 3-ellow and white the rarest. 



Some nine years ago, when Ruffs used to be imported as an 

 article of food from the Holland markets to Ireland, Mr. 

 Williams picked out three specimens from a large number 

 on sale in the Dublin markets. These birds were in their 

 nuptial plumage, the '* frill " being well developed. They 

 since have come into my possession, and I find that they 

 conform to the three types alreadj- mentioned. The following 

 is a brief description of their plumage : — 



No. I. Head and upper part of the " ruff" puvplish black, exhibiting 

 nietalhc sheen or lustre when seen by reflected Hght. Cheeks and rest 

 of "ruff" transversely barred and splashed with black and white. 

 Breast feathers mostly purplish black, tipped white, some old winter 



1 To be exact it should be borne in mind that the primaries, second- 

 aries, lower abdominal and undertail feathers are practically the same 

 colour in all RulTs. 



" Letters to Young Shooters," p. 441, 



