306 BRITISH BIRDS 



As long ago as 1820 the knot was found breeding in tlie Melville 

 Islands (lat. 80°), and later, at various times, in other arctic localities, 

 but in no case were the eggs preserved. During the pairing-time 

 the birds toy with each other in the air, the male uttering a sweet, 

 fluting whistle. On our coasts they are very gregarious, feeding on 

 the extensive mud-flats in large flocks. It has been observed that 

 the young birds that come in advance of the adults in August are 

 strangely tame in disposition. In May, when the return migration 

 to their arctic breeding-grounds takes place, the birds that arrive on 

 our shores from the south have their rich nuptial colours fully 

 developed. 



Ruff and Reeve. 



Machetes pugnax. 



Fig. 104 — Eufp and Reeve. \ natural size. 



The male in spring dress has the face covered with yellowish 

 caruncles ; a tuft of long feathers on each side of the head ; throat 

 furnished with a shield-like ruff of feathers; general plumage 

 mottled with ash, black, brown, yellowish, and white, the orna- 

 mental feathers being differently coloured in almost every indi- 

 vidual. In his winter pliunage the male has the face feathered, and 

 is without the ruff and ear-like tufts ; under parts pale buff. 

 Length, twelve inches. The female, or reeve, is a third smaller 



