EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 135 



a mere speck ; the spots are largest and most numerous round 

 the large end. The eggs vary in length from 19 to 1"68 inch, 

 and in breadth from l - 35 to l - 25 inch. The eggs of Bartram's 

 Sandpiper are very similar in general appearance to those of the 

 Common and Green Sandpipers, but may always be distinguished 

 by their larger size. 



THE RUFF. 

 (Tot corns pugnax.)* 



Plate 42, Figs. 4, G. 



The Ruff is a rare summer migrant to the British Islands, a 

 few pairs still occasionally breeding in the Norfolk broads ; but it 

 is more abundant on spring and autumn migration. Formerly it 

 bred in great numbers in most of the marshy districts of England, 

 from Northumberland southwards. The Ruff is a western Palae- 

 arctic species, breeding as far north as land extends, as far south 

 as the valley of the Danube and the Kirghis Steppes, and as far 

 east as the Taimur Peninsula and West Dauria, whence it reaches 

 to, and probably breeds in, the upper valley of the Amoor. 



The nest is on the ground, in the middle of a swamp, where 

 you have to splash through the water amongst rushes, sedge, and 

 coarse grass, in the midst of a clump of which a depression is 

 found, and roughly lined with dead grass and sedge. The nest 

 is very difficult to find, but the bird sits close, and reveals her 

 treasures as she flies away. 



The eggs, in a full clutch, are always four in number, and 

 somewhat similar to those of the Great Snipe ; indeed some of 

 them are absolutely indistinguishable from eggs of the latter bird ; 

 but, as a rule, they are smaller and greener. The ground-colour 

 varies from an almost neutral pale grey to pale greenish-grey ; 

 the overlying spots are reddish-brown, and the underlying spots 

 pale greyish-brown. The spots are not quite so bold as those on 

 the eggs of the Great Snipe, but they are equal in size to those on 

 most Sandpipers' eggs, and are occasionally confluent at the large 

 end. The eggs vary in length from 1*8 to 1'6 inch, and in 

 breadth from 1*3 to 1'15 inch. 



* Machetes pugnax — Saunders, Manual, p. 585. Pavoncella pugnax— Sharpe, 

 Handb., III., p, 271. 



