RUFF. 151 



rump. The neatly patterned back and wings, due to the buff 

 and grey feather margins, are, however, particularly striking. 

 Though often seen on the shore, the bird is frequent by inland 

 waters, visiting lakes, reservoirs, and sewage farms on migration, 

 and lingering where food is plentiful if permitted ; it feeds 

 largely on insects and worms. It is quick on the wing, often 

 rising high if flushed. In spring and autumn I have seen it 

 with Redshanks ; it rose silently, they did not. Indeed, it is at 

 all times a silent bird, and I have never heard its note, described 

 as tu-whit, or by Macpherson as a "loud shrill whistle." It is 

 said to croak when displaying, but when I have watched the 

 display of aviary birds I have noticed no sound. Its carriage 

 when feeding is erect, and if suspicious the neck is straightened, 

 but it does not jerk like a nervous Redshank. It will probe 

 the mud, though not so deeply as a Snipe. I find it described 

 as a nocturnal feeder, but 1 have watched it feeding by day 

 on a Norfolk marsh, on Lancashire sewage farms, and Cheshire 

 meres. 



Though it may be that females are more numerous than 

 males, the bird is not exactly polygamous ; promiscuous sexual 

 intercourse seems usual ; pairing does not necessarily imply 

 permanent mating. The specific name, pugnax, refers to the 

 habits during display, but though there is much " You hit me 

 first ! " in its behaviour, little actual fighting is indulged in ; the 

 bird shows off its frill and " ear " tufts to full advantage, and 

 tries to look fierce, but its aggressive rushes end in bluff if its 

 rival refuses to move. The attitudes assumed during display 

 are ludicrous, for the bird will crouch on the tarsus, with bill 

 resting on the ground, ruff spread and tufts uplifted, and thus 

 pose before either the Reeve or a rival Ruff. Often the wings 

 are spread flat upon the ground. The Reeves appear to be 

 rather bored, but doubtless do make selection, and their choice 

 must be varied, for no two Ruffs are exactly alike. When the 

 bird is not displaying, the frill lies back and is not conspicuous. 



