THE RUFF. 197 



L'Lereiore low spread themselves over Europe, and the con* 

 tiguous continents, until the return of spring invites them 

 again to revisit the north. Dififerent from the birds of the 

 preceding section of this genus, the breeding limits of tha 

 Buff extend from the marshes of England and Holland to 

 the confines of the Arctic circle, and while the mass of the 

 -pecies are driven by the vicissitudes of the seasons to per- 

 form extensive migrations for the means of support, others, 

 residing in milder climes, scarcely proceed further, in the 

 course of the winter, than to the sea-coasts in the vicinity 

 of their native marshes. At any rate, it appears certain, 

 that the Ruif, unlike the sandpiper, never wanders into 

 tropical climates. Come from where they may, they appear 

 again in the eastern parts of Great Britain, ti vhich theii 

 visits in that kingdom are low wholly confined, about the 

 latter end of April, resorting to the fens of Lincolnshire, 

 the Isle of Ely, and a few other places, which suit their 

 peculiar habits. 



In the month of May, the male, besides the red and 

 carunculated face, acquires the curious and ornamental Ruff, 

 which characterizes the breeding season. It is scarcely 

 campletcd in this month, and begins to fall in the latter end 

 of June. With this singular decoration, he also undergoes 

 a complete change in tne rest of his plumage, the colours 

 are more gay and brilliant ; there is then a predominance 

 of rufous and purple tints among the others, and the plait 

 and sombre liverv of winter is laid aside. 



