246 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



almost destroyed. Mr. Stevenson says that in East 

 Norfolk a few pairs still breed annually, and are 

 strictly preserved. In Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and 

 Yorkshire, where this species was once plentiful, it 

 has now ceased to breed, and in the more northern 

 counties of Durham and Northumberland a nest is 

 very rarely found. We have lately been informed 

 that a few pairs have been found nesting in Lincoln- 

 shire within the last two years. 



During the months of August and September, at 

 which season great numbers of shore-birds migrate 

 southwards, the Ruff and Reeve are more commonly 

 met with. 



We have found them at this time of year in the 

 tidal harbours on the east and south coasts, and 

 have several times shot them when looking for 

 Snipe in marshy ground near the sea. More rarely 

 we have seen them in autumn on the Brent, within 

 a few miles of London. The males had then lost 

 their frills, and were only to be distinguished from 

 the females by their larger size and darker plumage. 

 The colour of the legs varies almost as much as the 

 colour of the frills. Orange, lemon, clay colour, 

 lead colour, and black may be found, with all the 



