C 103 J 



THE COMBATANT, 



OR Fighter, called alfo (the male) the Ruff, and (the female) the 

 Reeve. In the beginning of fpring, when thefe birds arrive among 

 our marfhes, the males engage each other with defperate fury ; not only 

 fingly, but alfo in troops, regulated and orderly, marching one againft 

 the other. The males are faid to be more numerous than the females : 

 thefe fpirit up the warriors, await at hand the iflue of the war, and re- 

 ward the victors with their company ; and the conquered, if they hear the 

 cry of frelh females, again enter the lifts, if oppofed. They are thought 

 CO come from the north. 



This bird furnifhes a remarkable inftance of variation at different pe- 

 riods. Their ruff begins to fhew itfelf foon in fpring, and fubfifts only 

 during the feafon of courtfhip : the fame is obferved of the eruption of 

 a multitude of little fiefhy pimples, full of blood, which rife on the fore- 

 part of the head, and round the eyes j the whole together forming a total 

 diffimilarity in the fame bird. This ruff moults off at the end of June, 

 the pimples flatten and difappear, and their places become covered with 

 feathers ; then both fexes are alike. 



In Lincolnfhire they are taken in great numbers, and are fattened for 

 fale with bread and milk. To keep them quiet they muft be Ihut up in 

 darknefs; for if light, though but little, be admitted, they fight. Among 

 other birds in an aviary, they challenge all round ; if there be a green 

 turf in a corner, they fight for its poffeffion ; and, as if they were ardent 

 for glory, they fight with cfpecial fury in the prefence of fpedators. 

 Their ruffferves for defence, they eredt it when fighting ; it is of variou* 

 colours in various birds ; rarely white, often dark coloured. 



THE LAPWING 



SEEMS to have taken his name from the found of his wings, which 

 fomewhat refembles the noife of falling wheat, in fanning. Has a tufr, 

 confiding of five or fix thin, long, black fhafts, falling behind on his 

 neck. Is very lively ; perpetually in motion, and frilking as well in the air, 

 as when on the ground. Comes in the fpring j vifits the fields of green 



S 2 corn* 



