134 WADING BIRDS. 



The Ruffs, esteemed as a most delicate game, are so much 

 sought after in England, as to be almost exterminated from 

 many of their native marshes, and sell, when fattened artifi- 

 cially, at from 30 shillings to two guineas the dozen. They 

 are usually taken in large clap-nets, erected over the mounds 

 that the Ruffs have selected for their daily combats. The 

 fowler repairing to the spot before day-light, spreads his 

 net, places his decoy birds, (which are either real prisoners 

 of the species, or rudely stuffed skins,) and takes his stand 

 at the distance of about one hundred and forty yards, or 

 more, according to the shyness of the birds. The net sus- 

 pended by poles, and commanded by a rope and pulleys, is 

 at length pulled over its victims, and seldom fails of secur- 

 ing all within its reach. Although their natural food consists 

 of worms, and insects of the marshes where they dwell, 

 when confined they are fed and fattened on milk and soaked 

 bread, hempseed, sometimes boiled wheat, and to hasten the 

 process sugar is frequently added to the rest of their fare. 

 As soon as sufficiently fattened, they are killed and dressed 

 in the manner of Woodcocks. If this unnatural fare be 

 long continued, they sicken and pine away, as it were by 

 the surfeit of gluttony. It is a curious fact, related of the 

 Curlew, ( Numenius arquata,) by Rennie, that when fed 

 on worms, thrown into milk, to accustom him to the unnatural 

 and fattening diet of the Ruff, he for some time, took out 

 the worms and carefully washed them in water, before he 

 would consent to swallow them 



The RufF is about 12 inches in length. In its autumnal and winter 

 plumage, the face is covered with feathers ; and the occiput and neck 

 clothed with short plumes. The throat, fore part of the neck, belly, 

 and other lower parts white. Breast rufous, with dark brown spots. 

 The upper plumage, usually brown, covered with black spots, with 

 rufous borders. The longest wing coverts, and the middle feathers 

 of the tail banded with brown, black, and rufous. Bill long, and 

 brownish. Legs and feet yellowish, tinted with greenish, brown, or 



