GREEN SANDPIPER 267 
Another peculiarity of the Ruff is, that the plumage varies 
greatly in different individuals—so much so, indeed, that Montagu 
who had an opportunity of seeing about seven dozen in a room 
together, could not find two alike. These birds are now become 
rare, but occasional specimens are still met with in different parts 
of Great Britain, and at various seasons; but if they are ever 
served up at table, they must be consignments from the Continent. 
The female builds her nest of coarse grass, among reeds and rushes, 
and lays four eggs. The brood, when hatched, remain with her 
until the period of migration; but the males take no interest in 
domestic affairs. The few that have not been caught become more 
amicably disposed during the latter portion of the year. They 
lose the feathery shields from whence they derive their English 
name, and, assuming a peaceful garb, withdraw to some southern 
climate. The Ruff is about one-third larger than the Reeve; 
and the latter is, at all seasons, destitute of a prominent collar. 
Formerly these birds bred in the east of England. 
GREEN SANDPIPER 
TOTANUS OCHROPUS 
Upper plumage olive-brown, with greenish reflections, spotted with whitish 
and dusky ; lower plumage white ; tail white, the middle feathers barred 
with dusky towards the end, the two outer feathers almost entirely 
white ; bill dusky above, reddish beneath; feet greenish. Length nine 
and a half inches. Eggs whitish green, spotted with brown. 
Tus bird, which derives its name from the green tinge of its plum- 
age and legs, must be reckoned among the rarer Sandpipers. In 
habits it differs considerably from most of its congeners, in that it 
is not given to congregate with others of its kind, and that it resorts 
to inland waters rather than to the sea. It is seen for the most 
part in spring and autumn, at which seasons it visits us when on 
its way to and from the northern countries in which it breeds. 
Specimens have been killed late in the summer, from which it has 
been inferred that the Green Sandpiper sometimes breeds in this 
country ;* but the fact does not appear to have been confirmed 
by the discovery of its nest. While migrating it flies very high, 
but when scared from its feeding-ground it skims along the surface 
of the water for some distance, and then rises high into the air, 
uttering its shrill whistle. In its choice of food, and habits while 
feeding it resembles the Common Sandpiper. It lays its eggs in 
deserted nests and old squirrel dreys—and breeds probably in wild 
parts of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. The Son of the Marshes 
considers that it does so. 
