800 RUFF 
between any two of them, while the individual variation is increased 
by the “ ear-tufts,” which generally differ in colour from the frill, 
and thus produce a combination of diversity. The colours range 
from deep black to pure white, passing through chestnut or bay, 
and many tints of brown or ashy-grey, while often the feathers are 
more or less closely barred with some darker shade, and the black 
is very frequently glossed with violet, blue or green —or, in 
-addition spangled with white, grey or gold-colour. ‘The white, on 
the other hand, is not rarely freckled, streaked or barred with 
grey, rufous-brown or black. In some examples the barring is 
most regularly concentric, in others more or less broken-up or un- 
dulating, and the latter may be said of the streaks. It was ascer- 
tained by Montagu, and has since been confirmed by the still wider 
experience and if possible more carefully-conducted observation of 
Mr. Bartlett, that every Ruff in each successive year assumes tufts 
and frill exactly the same in colour and markings as those he wore 
in the preceding season ; and thus, polymorphic as is the male as a 
species, as an individual he is unchangeable in his wedding-garment 
—a lesson that might possibly be applied to many other birds. 
The white frill is said to be the rarest. 
That all this wonderful “show” is the consequence of the 
polygamous habit of the Ruff can scarcely be doubted. No other 
species of Limicoline bird has, so far as is known, any tendency to 
it. Indeed, in many species of Limicole, as the DOTTEREL, the 
GODWITS, PHALAROPES and perhaps some others, the female is 
larger and more brightly coloured than the male, who in such cases 
seems to take upon himself some at least of the domestic duties. 
Both Montagu and Graves, to say nothing of other writers, state 
that the Ruffs, in England, were far more numerous than the 
Reeves, and their testimony can hardly be doubted; though mm 
Germany Naumann (Vég. Deutschl. vii. p. 544) considers that this 
is only the case in the earlier part of the season, and that later the 
females greatly outnumber the males. It remains to say that the 
moral characteristics of the Ruff exceed even anything that might 
be inferred from what has been already stated. By no one have 
they been more happily described than by Wolley, in a communica- 
tion to Hewitson (Hogs of Brit. Birds, ed. 3, p. 346), as follows :— 
“The Ruff, like other fine gentlemen, takes much more trouble with 
his courtship than with his duties as a husband. Whilst the Reeves are 
sitting on their eggs, scattered about the swamps, he is to be seen far 
away flitting about in flocks, and on the ground dancing and sparring 
with his companions. Before they are confined to their nests, it is 
wonderful with what devotion the females are attended by their gay 
followers, who seem to be each trying to be more attentive than the rest. 
Nothing can be more expressive of humility and ardent love than some of 
the actions of the Ruff. He throws himself prostrate on the ground, with 
ee ee a 
