WATER BIRDS. 





The Ruff and the Reeve. 



The Ruff, thus denominated from a spreading tuft of feathers on each side of the head in the male, is 

 subject to great variety in the colors of its plumage, but the prevailing ground color is brown, inclining to 

 ash, with lateral and under covers white. He is so pugnacious, that Linnaeus conferred on him the sur- 

 name of the " warlike." Previously to pairing, their contests are frequent and mortal. The females, who 

 are called Reeves, are smaller than the males and want the ruff. They nestle in tufts of grass, in fens, 

 and have four eggs, white, marked with rusty spots. Even in confinement they discover their untameable 

 animosity, nor id it till they are fairly matched that they become peaceable and sedate. The Ruff weighs 

 seven onccs, and is in length a foot. 



barnacle ljt^,>; 



Kgyptain Goose. 



Foolish Guillemot. 



Frigate Pelican. 

 (300) 



