SCOLOPACIDA,. 397 
1864 (p. 8961), as having been shot at Weston- 
super-Mare, on the 6th of January, in that year, and 
I have seen one or two specimens at Mrs. Turle’s 
that had been killed in the marsh; but I am not 
aware that it has been taken here—at all events, of 
late years—in its full summer dress. At one time 
these birds must have been much more numerous 
in our county than they are now, for Montagu says 
that they were not uncommon in the fens about 
Bridgwater, but even in his time drains and en- 
closures had so reduced their numbers that only an 
occasional stray bird made its appearance. 
A great trade was formerly carried on from some 
of the fen counties, such as Lincolnshire, where 
“the fen-men used to catch great quantities of these 
birds and fatten them for the London market; 
but, owing to drainage and reckless destruction, 
they are not now found in sufficient quantities to 
keep up a regular trade, the greater number of 
those now to be seen in the London markets and 
poulterers’ shops being probably sent from Hol- 
land. 
As suggested by both the generic and specific 
names,—“ Machetes” (a warrior) and “ pugnax,”— 
the Ruff is a most pugnacious bird, especially in the 
spring, when the males are contending for the 
females, at which time the most ferocious battles 
take place; the males then, taking up a position on 
some little eminence, give battle to any male of their 
2M 
