CHAPTER LIX. 



THE RUFF AND REEVE. 



(Maclietes pugnaxj. 



An epicure, of dainty whim, 

 Who Lived in ages long since past, 



Was asked one day, 



In friendly way, 

 What best he loved for his repast ? 

 And among the list of choicest game 

 His greatest favourite to name. 



The gourmet smiled, and stroked his chin ; 

 Then quaff'd his cup, and prompt replied : — 

 " Of tid-bits rare. 

 Of princely fare. 

 Of flesh of birds— roast, grilled, or fried ; 

 Of hare or rabbit, woodcock, snipe ; 

 Of partridge, pheasant, plover, wipe ;* 



" Of larks for breakfast, or for supper, 

 (On these I love to cram and stuff). 



But, tho' such dishes 



Are delicious, 

 There's notliing nicer than a fattened ruff;" 

 And little any taster leaves, 

 Except the feathers of the reeves. 



The Author. 



These birds were formerly abundant in this country, but are now so 

 scarce as to be known only by name : tliey are exclusively fen birds, 

 and seldom found elsewhere. The male bird is the ruff, the female 

 the reeve. When in full plumag-e, during the bi'eeding- season, the 

 ruff is eagerly sought by taxidermists as an object of great attraction 

 for the glass-case, and by the fowler as one of the rarest luxuries of 

 the table. 



They are summer visitants to this country, arriving in the fens 



* The ancient name of the lapwing. 



