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 })lumagc olne-brown, with greenish reflections, spotted with whitish 

 and dusk}- ; lower phnnage 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. 



This bird, which derives its name from the green tinge of its plum- 

 age and legs, must be reckoned among the rarer vSandpipers. 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. 



