492 SANDPIPERS AND RELATED SPECIES 



grass, about ten paces by six, with eleven distinct circular depressions 

 where the grass was worn away, each about two feet across, and two 

 others less distinctly marked. It had evidently been used for this pur- 

 pose for several seasons in succession, and the bare soil was stained 

 with excrement. A single ruff visited the hill on the 14th, but on the 

 15th a band of eight males flew down and at once began to spar on 

 the strand not far off, and on the 16th the hill was certainly resorted 

 to. From this time onward it was regularly occupied as long as 

 the observations continued. 



As the ruff feeds at night it was by no means easy to find out at 

 what time the "lek" or play began, for even at 3.30A.M. on April 

 25th, when it was still dark, they were apparently present, and about 

 the same time on the 26th eight birds flew in, so that this probably 

 represents the usual time for the commencement of the lek. The 

 hill was, however, not occupied continuously throughout the day. 

 Frequently all the birds would rise together, and make a short flight 

 round in silence as usual, for of all the Waders the ruff seems to be 

 the most silent, hardly ever making a sound. At times, too, it would 

 seem quite deserted, but then after a time a bird or two would drop 

 in, and others would follow, and then the proceedings would begin. 

 It should be understood that the difference in the plumage of the 

 ruffs rendered it easy to make continuous observations on individual 

 birds, but with the reeves things were altogether different, and most 

 of them were indistinguishable, though occasionally some peculiarity 

 rendered one bird recognisable with difficulty. 



It was soon ascertained that the fully developed males had their 

 own definite places on the hill, and the only real fighting seems to 

 arise from a newcomer pitching on a spot already appropriated. 

 There is an instant rush, and a fight ensues, during which pecking or 

 biting, kicking, and striking with the wings takes place, both birds 

 leaping like gamecocks, as though to come down on their opponent. 

 Frequently a general commotion ensues, and light sparring is indulged 

 in all round, but in spite of the reputation for quarrelsomeness which 



