RUFF. 



SCOLOPACID^.] 



MACHETES PUGNAX (Linn^us). 



Explanation of Plate. 



la collection of H. Massey, 

 Esq. 



Figure 1. Falkenswaard, North Brabant^ June 22, 1891." 

 „ 2. Ditto. May 15, 1889. 



„ 3. Ditto. June 9, 1890. 



„ 4. Heese, Holland, May 10, 1889. 



„ 5. Potter Heighem, Norfoli?, June 4, 1887. In collection of R. W. Chase, Esq. 



„ 6. Kaaressuando, Tornea Lapi^mark, June 22, 1893. 



„ 7. Falkenswaard, North Brabant, June 19, 1891. 



„ 8. Kaaressuando, Tornea Lappmark, June 12, 1893. 



„ 9. Tornea Lappmark, June 21, 1892. 



„ 10. Heese, Holland, May 10, 1889. 



„ 11. Falkenswaard, North Brabant, June 14, 1891. 



„ 12. Kaaressuando, Tornea Lappmark, June 24, 1893. 



In collection of 

 H. Massey, Esq. 



The Ruff is a rather rare spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands, a 

 few pairs probably remaining to breed in Norfolk. 



Me. H. Seebohm writes * : — " The Euff is a rare summer migrant to the British 

 Islands, a few pairs still occasionally breeding in the Norfolk broads ; but it is 

 more abundant on spring and autumn migration. Formerly it bred in great 

 numbers in most of the marshy districts of England, from Northumberland 

 southwards. In Scotland and Ireland it occurs regularly on migration, and it is 

 occasionally seen on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. 



" The Euff is a west Palaearctic species, breeding as far north as land extends, 

 as far south as the valley of the Danube and the Kirghiz Steppes, and as far east 

 as the Taimur peninsula and West Dauria, where it reaches to and probably breeds 

 in the upper valley of the Amoor. It passes through the basins of the Mediter- 

 ranean, Black, Caspian, and Aral Seas on migration, and winters in suitable 

 localities through Africa, Northern India, and Burma. Like many other Waders, it 

 occasionally straggles far and wide during winter. A single example has occurred in 



* ' History of British Birds,' vol. iii. pp. 113-115. 



