THE EUFF. 



Machetes pugnax. 

 Tringa pugnax. 



T may be safely affirmed that 

 the Ruff is the most peculiar- 

 looking bird known in this 

 country. A glance at the 

 illustration preceding these 

 remarks will be quite suffi- 

 cient to establish this asser- 

 tion ; and it may be added 

 that its habits and charac- 

 teristics are fully as eccentric 

 and out of the common as its 

 general appearance. The 

 female is known as the Reeve. 

 Amongst the numerous names 

 bestowed on this bird in dif- 

 ferent localities may be men- 

 tioned the following : Fight- 

 ing Ruff, Shore_Sandpiper, 

 Yellow-legged Sandpiper, 

 and (i reen wich Sandpiper. 



In years gone by the Ruff 

 was far more plentiful than 

 it is at the present time. 

 The fens of Lincolnshire, 



