Till-: 



571 



species of Stilt are known to science. The eggs of the Stilt are of a bluish hue, covered with 

 tttn-aks ami blotches of dusky green and dark brown 



The greater part of the plumage of this bird is w hite. but the back and wings are of a deep 

 black with a gloss of green. In th<- female the black takes a brownish tone. The beak is 

 black, the eggs red, and the legs and toes pink. The total length of this bin I is about thirteen 

 inches. 



I, IKK ninny other birds, the Hi > > d> | nds for ita existence upon marshy and uncultivated 

 grounds. 



It in one of the migratory species, arriving in this country in April and leaving by the end 

 of Septemlx-r. Formerly it was -.., common in the fenny district* that six dozen have been 

 taken by one binl-catcher in H single day. The flesh of these birds is remarkably excellent, 

 and they fatten fast, HO that the trade of catching and fattening Ruffs was at one time a very 



MlKf. J 



lucrative occupation, though it now hardly repays the trouble, time, and expense. So readily 

 i these birds be fattened, that a Huff weighing only six ounces when first placed in the cage* 

 will weigh ten when removed for the table. (Jem-rally the young birds of the first year are 

 chosen for slaughter, a- they are more tender and Ix-ar captivity better than the older bird*. 

 As soon as raptured the RufTs will begin to eat, and if a basin of food be placed among a 

 number of these birds they will tiirht so eagerly for it that each bird would starve nit her than 

 allow any but itself to partake of the provisions. The feeders, then-fore, humor their selfish 

 disposition by placing several dishes of food in the cages end filling them all. 



i 



TIIK KNOT, so railed in h--nor of King Knnt. or Canute as the name is generally spelled, is 

 one of the members of the interesting gen us Tringa. 



This pretty bird is found in varying numbers, at one season flying and settling on the 

 shore in flocks of a thousand or more in number, and at another being so scarce that hanlly 

 one bird can l>e seen where a hundred had formerly made their apju-arance. Mr. Thompson 

 mentions that In- has seen them in such profu-ion. that upwards of one hundred and seventy 



e killed at a single discharge from a swivel-gun. Sometimes they an- silent while on th- 



