BIRDS OP THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 121 



In September 1864 a mixed flock of about fifteen 

 frequented for soine time some low wet grass lands 

 in this parish. One which I shot was a Ruff and a 

 bird of the year. During the same season there were 

 other small flocks in our marshes, where they con- 

 tinued up to the middle of October. They were never 

 very shy, and when alarmed and put up generally 

 alighted after a short flight in the same field ; when 

 proceeding any distance they flew with great rapidity 

 in the letter V formation. Since this time I have 

 met with examples nearly every year in the Humber 

 marshes in September* ; and, what is rather singular, 

 with scarcely an exception they have been Reeves, 

 either old or young females. 



In the spring I have hitherto only twice observed 

 them in this parish on the 20th of May eight, all 

 Reeves, three of which I shot ; they were feeding 



expedition is required sugar is added, which will make them in 

 a fortnight's time a lump of fat ; they then sell for 2s. or 2s. Qd. 

 a piece. Judgment is required in taking the proper time for 

 killing them (when they are at the highest pitch of fatness); for 

 if that is neglected, the birds are apt to fall away. The method 

 of killing them is by cutting off their heads with a pair of scis- 

 sors : the quantity of blood which issues is very great considering 

 the size of the bird. They are dressed like a Woodcock, with 

 their intestines, and, when killed at the critical time, say the 

 epicures, are reckoned the most delicious of all morsels." 



* Is sometimes at this season shot on the "muds" by our 

 gunners. Some years since, when partridge-shooting in Septem- 

 ber in the marshes, I killed a Reeve as it rose from some shorn 

 wheat-stubbles. It was a remarkably small specimen. 



G 



