THE RUFF. 85 



This bird has declined greatly in numbers since the 

 draining of the marshes in our eastern counties. They 

 arrive in England in spring, the males appearing first, 

 and do not quarrel among themselves until their jeal- 

 ousy is excited by the coming of the females. " They 

 assemble on a rising knoll,'* says Mudie, " and battle 

 for the surrounding spot and the lady not in bands 

 under leaders as some have alleged, but each single- 



RUFF. 



handed, or rather single-billed, for himself. The 

 contest often lasts for several days, or is renewed on 

 several mornings ; but whether the victor of each 

 day leads off a female at the close of the warfare of 

 the same, or whether the same female occasions a 

 contest of several days' operation, has not been 



