176 LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



polygamy, the males are excessively pugnacious, 

 and fond of displaying those curious nuptial plumes 

 which render this species absolutely unique amongst 

 Aves. During the mating season the males " hill," 

 as it is termed — that is, resort to certain spots to 

 engage in combat ; and these battles are continued 

 at intervals — generally in the morning — until the 

 females retire to incubate the eggs. The males 

 now take no further interest in the hens, leaving 

 them to bring up the brood, whilst they wander 

 about in flocks until the migration period arrives. 

 Some very interesting particulars concerning the 

 " hilling " of this species have been contributed to 

 the Ibis by Mr. A. Chapman, who found the RufF 

 very common in the marshes of Jutland in the 

 season of 1893. He writes : " It was with the 

 greatest interest that we watched these singular 

 birds, in congregations of from six or eight to 

 twenty or thirty, beating their flanks with their 

 wings, and otherwise performing the strangest 

 antics. Often a pair of RufFs would, with ruff and 

 ear-tufts erect, stand facing each other for minutes 

 together, their heads lowered and their bills nearly 

 touching each other; then one would spring into 

 the air and make a desperate rush at his retiring 

 adversary, their aptitude for running over the 



