322 CHARADRIIDAG 
the tide it is partial to swamps and bog-land frequented by 
Snipe and other game-birds; moreover, it has been re- 
peatedly observed on moor and hill, and has several times 
fallen to the gun of the grouse-shooter. 
It is a rather conservative bird, associating principally 
with its own kind, though at times 1t accompanies other 
‘waders’ on the sea-shore. 
Flight.—The Ruff usually flies low and swiftly, but like 
other shore-birds it may be seen ascending to a considerable 
height. 
Food.—The food consists largely of insects, worms, and 
vegetable matter. I have generally found fine gravel 
present in the gizzard. Dr. Scharff detected bits of the 
shells of sea-snails, vegetable substance like marine sea- 
weed, minute seeds of plants, and the bristles (sete) of 
marine worms, in the stomachs of several Ruffs which he 
kindly examined for me. Gravel (the largest pebbles of 
which measured 4 mm., the average being 2 mm.), and 
sand were also present. Ruffs in captivity have been 
fattened on boiled wheat or bread and milk (Saunders). 
It is considered a very edible bird. It may be more 
palatable than some shore-birds, but judging from the 
immature specimens which I have tasted, I must confess 
that I should prefer to eat bird-flesh with a less pro- 
nounced flavour of brine and fish. 
Voice.—In the breeding-season, a low croak may be 
heard, uttered as the birds pass back and forwards to their 
nesting-grounds. 
In autumn the immature birds utter a rather feeble 
tu-whit, tu-whit. 
Nest.—At the onset of the nesting-season, the male 
ardently courts the female, prostrating himself before her 
with lowered head and quivering plumes, and apparently 
in a state of intense excitement and amour. With his own 
sex he is notoriously pugnacious, fighting seemingly as 
furiously as a game-cock, yet the combatants seldom injure 
each other seriously. Polygamous by nature, he tries to 
gain the possession of several females, which, when incu- 
bation has commenced, he completely deserts. In fact, the 
females alone appear to construct their simple nests in tufts 
of grass, in low-lying and swampy situations. The eggs, 
four in number, are olive, shading to greyish-buff, spotted 
and blotched with reddish-brown. Incubation begins about 
the end of May. All the time that the female is hatching 
