214 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD FOWL 



grounds in the Arctic regions before the end of May, or the first week or ten days 

 of June. The return migration begins in August, and continues through September 

 into October. A few linger on the British coasts throughout the winter. Both 

 on migration and in its winter quarters the Buff is decidedly gregarious, and not 

 only frequents the mud-flats and salt marshes on and near the coast, but many 

 inland haunts. The flight of this bird is rapid and well-sustained. It both runs 

 and walks during its search for food, occasionally wading in the shallows. During 

 its short sojourn on the British coasts it seems to prefer mud-flats, and is 

 especially numerous in many of the marshy districts of East Anglia once a 

 favourite breeding place of this species. The Buff is a remarkably silent bird, 

 even at the breeding grounds, but it is said to utter a low whit whilst on 

 migration. This I have never heard, although I have had many Buffs under my 

 observation in autumn, both on the south coast and the low-lying eastern counties. 

 The food of the Buff consists of insects and their larvae, worms, snails, small 

 seeds, rice, and various vegetable substances. 



Nidif ication. By far the most interesting portion of the Buff's economy 

 is that relating to its reproduction. It is a polygamous bird, probably because 

 for some unknown reason the females are greatly in excess of the males, estimated 

 by several competent authorities to preponderate in the ratio of three to one. 

 Like most polygamous birds the male Buffs are very pugnacious, and during the 

 " hilling " or mating season congregate at certain chosen spots to engage in 

 combat for the favours of the females. The " hills," or fighting places, are 

 generally small patches of open elevated land, where the herbage is short and five 

 or six feet across. These " hills " are resorted to yearly, and have been known 

 to continue in use for fifty years ! Here the rival males engage in what seem to 

 be furious and deadly conflicts, although little harm seldom happens to the 

 combatants. The excitement is intense enough, and the weaker birds are driven 

 from the " hills," the birds rushing at each other with their ruffs expanded, 

 jumping into the air and giving thrust after thrust with their bills, which are 

 frequently held pointing downwards for some moments while the collar is 

 displayed. Several duels often take place at the same time on one " hill," and 

 the meets generally take place in the early morning. These combats are of 

 more or less frequent occurrence until the females begin to sit, a period of nearly 

 six weeks' incessant warfare, and which lasts until the ruffs or collars (assumed 

 about April) are either worn away or begin to fall off. Each male pairs with 

 several females, but takes no share in the duties of incubation or in bringing up 

 the brood. The breeding grounds are the swainpy moors and feus covered with 

 long grass, either close to the sea or some distance inland. Here the birds are by 

 no means gregarious as soon as the " hilling " season is over, although they are 

 conspicuous enough in their gay, varied plumage. The Beeve makes a slight nest 

 on the ground in the swamps, usually in the centre of a tuft of sedge or coarse 



