THE RUFF AND REEVE. 245 



the ground-colour generally greener, and the blotches 

 thereon larger. 



It is a remarkable thing that we seldom see two 

 Ruffs of the same colour ; the variety is surprising. 

 As a rule, the male bird renews the same coloured 

 frill in each succeeding year. This has been proved 

 repeatedly by marking birds in confinement and 

 noting their changes of plumage ; but it has occa- 

 sionally happened that a Ruff which had a light 

 frill one year, assumed one of a darker shade the 

 succeeding spring. The frill begins to make its 

 appearance in April, and before the end of July it 

 has almost disappeared. This bird appears to have 

 a wide geographical range. We have specimens in 

 our collection from Southern Russia, Nubia, and the 

 Cape of Good Hope. Great numbers are imported 

 every spring from Holland, and may be seen in most 

 of the poulterers' stalls, especially in Leadenhall 

 market. They are considered great delicacies for 

 the table, and generally fetch from fifteen to eighteen 

 pence apiece. 



At that season of the year the Ruff and Reeve 

 are now seldom met with in England, for, as we 

 have observed, their breeding haunts have been 



