142 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



FIELDFAKE. 



Case 168. 



This is one of our most familiar winter visitors ; the 

 very name of Fieldfare seeming to be associated with 

 snow and frost. 



The specimens in the case were shot in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Brighton, in January, 186G. 



L AKK. — (Immature . ) 

 Case 169. 

 In the present case the young birds are shown in their 

 nestling plumage. 



The specimens were obtained between Shoreham 

 and Lancing, in Sussex, in July, 1874. 



RUFF.— (Summer;) 



Case 170. 



This singular bird is rapidly decreasing in number in 

 the British Islands. Though several make their ap- 

 pearance every spring in the eastern counties, there 

 are at the present time but two or three localities 

 where they remain to rear their young ; the swamps 

 and marshes they formerly frequented being so reduced 

 by the improved system of drainage, that few spots 

 suitable to their habits are left. 



On their first arrival, about the second week in 

 April, the long feathers, which form the frill round the 

 neck of the male, are but half grown. At this time 

 they are seen (or rather used to be) in flocks of from 

 ten or twenty to five or six times that number. On 



