322 CHARADRIID.E 



the tide it is partial to swamps and bog-land frequented by 

 Snipe and other game-birds ; moreover, it has been re- 

 peatedly observed on moor and hill, and has several times 

 fallen to the gun of the grouse-shooter. 



It is a rather conservative bird, associating principally 

 with its own kind, though at times it accompanies other 

 ' waders ' on the sea-shore. 



Flight. The Ruff usually flies low and swiftly, but like 

 other shore-birds it may be seen ascending to a considerable 

 height. 



Food. -The food consists largely of insects, worms, and 

 vegetable matter. I have generally found fine gravel 

 present in the gizzard. Dr. Scharff detected bits of the 

 shells of sea-snails, vegetable substance like marine sea- 

 weed, minute seeds of plants, and the bristles (seta) of 

 marine worms, in the stomachs of several Ruffs which he 

 kindly examined for me. Gravel (the largest pebbles of 

 which measured 4 mm., the average being 2 mm.), and 

 sand were also present. Buffs in captivity have been 

 fattened on boiled wheat or bread and milk (Saunders). 



It is considered a very edible bird. It may be more 

 palatable than some shore-birds, but judging from the 

 immature specimens which I have tasted, I must confess 

 that I should prefer to eat bird-flesh with a less pro- 

 nounced flavour of brine and fish. 



Voice. In the breeding-season, a low croak may be 

 heard, uttered as the birds pass back and forwards to their 

 nesting-grounds. 



In autumn the immature birds utter a rather feeble 

 tu-whit, tu-whit. 



Nest. At the onset of the nesting-season, the male 

 ardently courts the female, prostrating himself before her 

 with lowered head and quivering plumes, and apparently 

 in a state of intense excitement and amour. With his own 

 sex he is notoriously pugnacious, fighting seemingly as 

 furiously as a game-cock, yet the combatants seldom injure 

 each other seriously. Polygamous by nature, he tries to 

 gain the possession of several females, which, when incu- 

 bation has commenced, he completely deserts. In fact, the 

 females alone appear to construct their simple nests in tufts 

 of grass, in low-lying and swampy situations. The eggs, 

 four in number, are olive, shading to greyish-buff, spotted 

 and blotched with reddish-brown. Incubation begins about 

 the end of May. All the time that the female is hatching 



