RUFF. 



109 



these infinite variations may be roduccd to tliirty-threc typical ones, the rcmainilcr 

 being to all appearance intermediate forms or crosses. The accomiianying cut gives 

 only an inadequate idea of its peculiar aspect at this season, but will serve as an illus- 

 tration for the following accinint, the excellency of which may be an excuse for again 

 introducing Mr. Seebohni : " There are two points of special interest altadiing to 

 the history of the ruff, which are probably intimately connected with each other. 

 One of them is the extraordinary variety of the plumage of the males in the l)reeding 

 season, and the other is the fact that the ruff is polygamous. It is said tliat the 

 females largely outnumber the males. Naumann estimates the proportion as three to 

 one, and this discrepancy is confirmed by African collectors. Tlie males contend in 





Fio. 61. — PavonceUapugnax, ruff. 



single combat for the right of being • cock of the walk,' .and for this p>n-])0sc battle- 

 fields are chosen, like the ' laking-places ' of tlie capcrcaillie and the blackcock. 

 These are sometimes on a slight elevation, but usually arc nothing more thaii a spot 

 of open ground in the marsli, where a patch of level short grass is to be found, four 

 or five feet across, and so situated tliat it may be exposed to tlie view of the admiring 

 females. Tlie same jiioce of ground is chosen year after year, and Xaiimann mentions 

 an instance of one wliich liad been thus u.scd for half a century. Frequently two or 

 three duels are going on at once on the ground, but they sc^ldom last long. After 

 wliat looks like furious sparring, the weaker cock retires from the ' hill,' seldom any 

 worse for the fray, an<l the conqueror awaits another foe. Tliese cock-fights are not 

 commenced until the ruff or collar is fully grown, which is seldom before the middle 



