FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 177 



THE RUFF AND THE REEVE.* 



According to the Rev. F. O. Morris, "one of the most 

 curious birds, if not the most curious, of any we have in 

 this country." At one time it was of common occurrence, 

 but since the draining of the fens is much less frequently 

 met with. It is a summer visitor, arriving in April and 

 taking its departure in September. The males precede the 

 females, both in going and coming. 



It is an extremely pugnacious bird, and if kept in an 

 aviary, where it gets on remarkably well if fed in con- 

 formity with its natural habits, it will make war not only 



RUFFS AND REEVES IN WINTER PLUMAGE. 



on members of its own but on those of kindred species 

 and much damage to the combatants will be the result, 

 for which reason it should be lodged with birds of suffi- 

 cient size to be able to defend themselves successfully from 

 its attacks. 



Among its other peculiarities the Ruff is polygamous and 

 severe battles take place at pairing time among the males. 

 The feathers on the side of the neck are long and the 

 creature has the power of erecting them into a kind of frill, 



* The male bird is the Ruff and the female the Reeve. 



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