37° 



SNIPES. 



of an apple, which are common on the coast. These usually lie at a short 



depth below the surface, but in some places are seen at low water in heaps, 

 like masses of wet grain. During the latter part of the summer and autumn 

 these minute shcU-tish constitute the food of almost all those busy flocks that 

 run with such activity along the sands among the flowing and retreating waters. 

 They are always swallowed whole, but the action of the bird's stomach, assisted 

 by the shells themselves, soon reduces them to a pulp, which must be very 



1"he Knot Sandpiper (Tn'n^iz canrtius). 



nutritious, as the tribes that feed on these little mollusks are, at this season, 

 generally extremely fat. Diggmg for these in the hard sand would be a work 

 of considerable labour, whereas, when the sand is loosened by the flowing ot 

 the sea, the birds collect them with great ease and dexterity It is amusing 

 to observe with what adroitness they follow and elude the tumbling surf, while 

 at the same time they seem wholly intent on collecting their food. They are 

 plump birds, and bv those accustomed to the sedgy taste of their flesh, are 

 esteemed excellent food. 



The Ruffs {Philomachui), are chiefly remarkable for the peculiarity from 

 which they derive their name, viz., the projecting ruff of long, closely-set feathers 

 which surrounds the neck, and can be raised or laid flat at pleasure. During 

 the spring every male adult is furnished with this curious appendage, and 

 while thus ornamented is extremely irascible, fighting every rival that presents 

 himself with great determination and obstinacy until one of them betakes itself 

 to flight. Their attitude, when fighting, is not unlike that of a game cock ■ but 

 as they have no spurs, they cannot inflict severe wounds, *o that after a fierce 

 contest neither party is much the worse, and they are both ready lo fight 

 again as soon as ever another adversary presents himself. The remarkable 



