746 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



Ruff. Machetes pugnax {Linn.). (260) 



Syiiouyins: Reeve (for the female). — Triuga pugnax, Linn., 1758. — Pavoncella pugiuix 

 of some authors. 



In breeding plumage the male is unmistakable from the extraordinary 

 development of the feathers of the neck, which form a collar or ruff which 

 has given the bird its name. The male at other seasons, and the female 

 and young at all times, lack this ruff and would be recognized only by the 

 expert. 



Distribution. — Northern parts of the Old World, straying occasionally 

 to eastern North America. 



The only record for this species in Michigan, so far as we know, is the 

 statement of G. A. Stockwell which reads: "Two specimens taken by 

 myself, and have heard of three or four others, all taken in Sanilac county, 

 Michigan" (Forest and Stream, VIII, 22, 361). In view of the fact that 

 no specimens have been preserved, and that this writer included several 

 species erroneously, it seems best not to give the RufT a place in the Mich- 

 igan list until some new record is forthcoming. Of course there is no 

 question as to the possibility of its occurrence, since it has been taken often 

 enough in the Eastern United States to show that it probal^ly comes south 

 from Greenland with some frequency in company with other shore birds 

 on their fall migration. Mcllwraith records the capture of a specimen 

 near Toronto, Ontario, in the spring of 1882 (Birds of Ontario, 1894, 154). 



The Ruff is of about the same size as the Bartramian Sandpiper, and 

 reseml)les that bird more nearly than any other of our shore birds. 



Rock Ptarmigan. Lagopus rupestris rupestris {Gmel.). (302) 



It is not likely that this bird ever enters Michigan, but Mcllwraith says: 

 "This is another northern species reported by Mr. Bampton as being 

 occasionally exposed in the winter time in the market at Sault Ste. Marie 

 (Canada). It resembles the preceding in general appearance, but is 

 rather less in size, and in winter plumage the black band through the eye 

 of the male serves at once to decide its identity" (Birds of Ontario, 1894, 

 177-178). 



Ground Dove. Chaemepelia passerina terrestris (Chapyn.). (320) 



The only record for the state is that published l)y Dr. H. A. Atkins of 

 Locke, who stated, in July 1884, that in 1843, he met with a pair of these 

 birds in the township of Brighton, Livingston county, Michigan (O. & O. 

 Vol. IX, p. 81). Doubtless the good Doctor was mistaken, for, although 

 perfectly honest and fairly reliable, a record first published forty-one 

 years after the observation is certainly open to some question. The 

 normal habitat of this species is in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, 

 and it is extremel}^ probable that the birds which Dr. Atkins saw were 

 merely short-tailed young Mourning Doves. 



Black Vulture. Catharista urubu (Vieill). (326) 



Black Vultures have been reported from time to time b}^ correspondents 

 in different parts of the state and the name occurs in several of the lists. 

 There is little reason, however, to suppose that this species has even been 

 taken within our limits. The Turkey Buzzard looks perfectly black under 



