RUFF 53 



Eggs. — Normally four ; sets of three are quite exceptional and are 

 probably second or third layings. They are pyriform in shape, thin 

 shelled, and, as is frequently the case with the eggs of waders, large 

 for the size of the bird. The ground color varies from brownish 

 yellow to palfe olive brown as a rule, but occasionally has a greenish 

 tinge, while varieties with a clear pale blue ground are not very 

 scarce. The markings consist of spots and blotches of brown rang- 

 ing from umber to dark sepia and ashy grey shellmarks, more numer- 

 ous at the large end. White eggs have been recorded. The measure- 

 ments of 143 eggs, chiefly by the writer, average 43.97 by 30.7 milli- 

 meters; the eggs showing the four extremes measure 47.5 by 30.5, 

 43.2 by 32.1, 39.2 by 31.6, and 42.9 by 28 millimeters. 



They are usually laid in central Europe during the latter half 

 of May and early in June, occasionally in the second week of May. 

 In northern Europe most eggs are found during the latter half of 

 June. Only one brood is reared in the season. 



Young. — Incubation is performed by the female alone. Naumann 

 (1887) gives tli^ incubation period as 17 to 19 days, but this is 

 probably too low an estimate and recently Heinroth has recorded 27 

 days. From observations made by Mr. W. H. St. Quinten on young 

 hatched in captivity they leave the nest very soon after hatching, 

 apparently directly the down is dry. The reeve is a good mother, 

 and I have seen one when flushed from eggs on the point of hatching 

 run from the nest, flapping her wings in a helpless way as if unable 

 to fly. Another bird was also seen trying to distract attention by 

 running with every feather erect, looking more like some small 

 mammal than a bird. 



Plumages. — The plumages and moults are fully described in A 

 Practical Handbook of British Birds, edited by H, F. Witherby. 



Food. — The ruff is mainly insectivorous, feeding largely on beetles 

 (Coleoptera) , chiefly the smaller species. Jiickel records specimens of 

 the following genera: Agonum, Bemhidiu7?i, Pamus, Cyclonotwn^ 

 /Sifones, Pisodes, Ehinoncus^ Philhydrus. Weevils are also men- 

 tioned by Florence, Among the Orthoptera remains of grasshoppers 

 were found by Slater, Neuroptera met with include caddis worms 

 and cases (Phryganeidae) and larvae of Ephemera^ Trichoptera 

 {LimnopMlus by Jackel) who also records Naucoris (Hemiptera). 

 It will be noted that most of the above are aquatic forms. Diptera 

 are a staple food in the north, including larvae of Tipulidae and 

 many small species. Of Mollusca, Slater records small fresh water 

 bivalves, Collett worms {Lumbrlci). In winter the food is more 

 largely vegetable in character, though fresh water algae and seeds 

 of Rumex have been recorded in summer. Rice is frequently found 

 in birds killed in India and Mellor also found in seven cases nothing 

 but durra grains (Sorghiun) from 19 to 228 in number. 



