194 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS, 



this was obvious, for after much labour and search, in 

 the most obscure places, we found out a very civil 

 and intelligent fowler, who resided close to Spalding, 

 at Fen-gate, by name William Burton ; and, strange 

 to say, that although this man had constantly sold 

 Ruffs to Mr. Towns, a noted feeder, as also to 

 another feeder at Cowbit, neither of these persons 

 could be induced to inform us even of the name of 

 this fowler.* 



The Ruff is a rare bird in both counties; I am not 

 aware of more than two instances of its occurrence. A 

 Reeve was shot in the neighbourhood of Chesham 

 several years ago, and is now in the collection of 

 Mr. Burgess at Latimer. A few winters ago, as I 

 am informed by Mr. Sharpe, a second Reeve was 

 killed near Cookham, and was preserved by Mr. 

 Briggs of that place. 



Great Snipe {Scolopax major). Pennant was the 

 first to add this species to the British fauna, but since 

 his time many examples have been recorded as killed 

 in various parts of the country. This bird is also 

 known by the less appropriate name of ' Solitary 

 Snipe,' since it is as often found in pairs as singly. 



* The Great Snipe resembles the Jack Snipe very 

 much in its habits, lying close, and when disturbed 

 rarely flying far. It begins to breed early in May. 

 The nest is similar to, and placed in the same 

 position as, that of the common species. The eggs 

 are four in number. These are of a yellow olive- 



