308 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
bird of passage in France and England. Its flesh is good, but not 
equal to that of the Plover. 
The Ruff (PAclomachus pugnax, PLaTEs VIII. and 1X.) commends 
itself to the attention of the observer by the sudden metamorphosis 
it undergoes in May, which seems to revolutionise its entire nature. 
At this season the plumage of the Ruff, which has hitherto been 
grave and almost sombre, suffers a most brilliant transformation. 
On the top of its head, to the right and left, two graceful plumes 
come forth, which vastly improve its looks, and contribute in no 
small degree to the stateliness of its carriage. Brilliant hues of 
yellow, white, and black, arranged in a hundred ever-varying shades, 
combined, thus making them most attractive to the eye. 
This physical transformation produces a change in the temper of 
the bird. Puffed up with pride, and elated at its own personal mag- 
nificence, our hero suddenly finds itself subject to the most warlike 
feelings, and when a rival catches its- sight, without hesitation it 
rushes immediately to meet the stranger, who, nothing loth, charges 
in return at the top of his speed. With stretched-out beak and crest 
erect, the two adversaries impetuously close. A furious duel takes 
place, carried on in the sight of the feebler sex, who approve of the pro- 
ceedings, possibly giving praise or blame and, by a cry at judicious 
moments reanimates the failing ardour of the gallant combatants. 
Fierce blows with the beak follow one another in quick succession, 
blood soon flows, and the arena is stained with gore, until at 
last the two weary champions roll over in the dust, and lay side by 
side completely exhausted. During two or three months these duels 
are of frequent occurrence, and cannot fail to leave numerous gaps 
in the ranks of the species. 
In the beginning of August their rich vestments gradually disap- 
pear, and the warlike fever as rapidly abates. The Ruff now becomes 
a commonplace bird of peaceful habits, with no other aspiration but 
that of searching for worms and insects on the shores of the ocean. 
The Ruff soon gets accustomed to living in captivity. In Eng- 
land, where they were formerly very numerous, and in Holland, where 
they are still probably so, Ruffs are reared and fattened for the table. 
They must, however, be kept i in the dark during the breeding season, 
to prevent them from giving way to their turbulent tempers, which 
blaze out on the slightest excitement. 
These birds inhabit the northern and temperate countries of 
Europe and Asia; in France they are common on the north and 
north-west coast of the Channel. In spring they select moist and 
marshy meadows for their abode, where they lay their eggs, four 
