THE LAPWING. 



Tringa Vanellus, Linn^us ; Le Vanneu, Bcffon; Der gemeine Kieoetz, 

 Bechstein. 



This bird is well known throughout Europe wherever there 

 are water meadows. It is greenish on the back and wings ; 

 black on the breast ; and has red feet, and a handsome crest. 



Observations. — It feeds on all sorts of insects, small snails, worms, and 

 even plants. The young ones are easily tamed. They are first fed on 

 ants' eggs, and then gradually accustomed to bread, and even bran mixed 

 with milk. The eggs may be placed under pigeons, but care is necessary 

 when they are hatched, as they run the moment they leave the shell. The 

 old birds may be kept in the garden if the wings are clipped, where they 

 destroy the insects and worms ; but they must be brought into the house 

 in the winter, and fed at first on bullocks' lieart cut in the form of worms, 

 then with less care, till by degrees they become accustomed to other meat, 

 and even to bread. As these birds are much esteemed game, snares are 

 laid for them in places they frequent in large flocks. They are either 

 taken in nets, throwing worms as baits, or with nooses made of horse hair, 

 and set in the paths they trace in the rushes, or, which is cruel and 

 destructive, in the neighbourhood of their nests. 



THE RUFF. 



Tringa pugnax, Linnaeus ; Le Combattant, ou Paon de Uler, Buffon ; Die 

 Karapfhahn, Bechstein. 



The ruff is about the size of the lapwing, and is found in 

 the north of Europe, near lakes, ponds, and extensive marshes. 

 It is almost the only wild bird whose plumage varies like our 

 domesticated ones, ash-grey, brown, black, and white, being 

 combined in a thousand different ways, so that it is rare to meet 

 with two birds alike. The following are the characteristics of 

 the species : — 1st, a kind of ruff or collar, formed of long 

 feathers hanging around the neck, which are raised when the 

 bird is angry, and stand out on all sides ; 2nd, the face red, and 

 covered with pimples ; the beak and feet also red. 



