336 THE RUFF AND REEVE. 



bly found in the greatest number when an easterly wind prevails: 

 they always come against the wind. A gentleman informed 

 Mr. Markwick, that his father's shepherd once caught eighty- 

 four dozen of them in a day. Great quantities of them are eaten 

 on the spot by the neighbouring inhabitants ; others are sent 

 up to the London poulterers, and many are potted, being as 

 much esteemed in England as the ortolans are on the continent 

 of Europe. 



The vast plenty of these birds on the downs about Eastbourne, 

 is supposed by Mr. Pennant to be occasioned by a species of fly, 

 their favourite food, that feeds on the wild thyme, and abounds 

 on the adjacent hills. 



A few of the birds breed in the old rabbit-burrows there. 

 The nest is large, and made of dried grass, rabbets* down, a few 

 feathers, and horse-hair. The eggs are from six to eight, and 

 are of a light colour. 



THE RUFF AND REEVE. 



The ruff is about a foot in length, with a bill of about an inch. 

 The face is covered with yellow pimples ; and the back part of 

 the head and neck are furnished with long feathers, standing out 

 somewhat like the ruff worn by our ancestors ; a few of these 

 feathers stand up over each eye, and appear not unlike ears. 

 Trie colours of the ruffs are in no two birds alike : in general 

 they are brownish, and barred with black; though some have 

 been seen that were altogether white. The lower parts of the 



