338 GEALLATOEES, OE WADING BIEDS. 



* 



movements, reanimate the failing ardour of the gallant com- 

 batants. Fierce blows with the beak follow one another in 

 quick succession, blood soon flows, and the arena is reddened 

 around them, until at last the two weary champions roll over 

 m the dust, and lie side by side completely exhausted. During 

 two or three months these duels are of frequent occurrence, 

 and cannot fail to leave numerous gaps in the ranks of the 

 species. 



In the beginning of August their rich vestments gradually 

 disappear, and the warlike fever as rapidly abates. The Ruff 

 now becomes a commonplace bird of peaceful habits, with no 

 other occupation but that of searching for worms and insects 

 on the shores of the ocean. Then is the time when they fall 

 under the sportsman's gun and into the snares of the bird- 

 catcher. 



The Ruff soon gets accustomed to living in captivity. In 

 England, where they were formerly very numerous, and in 

 Holland, where they are probably so still, Ruffs are reared 

 and fattened for the table. They must, however, be kept in the 

 dark during the breeding season, to prevent them from giving 

 way to their turbulent tempers, which blaze out on the slightest 

 excitement under the influence of light. 



These birds inhabit the northern and temperate countries of 

 Europe and Asia : in France they are common enough on the 

 north and north-west coast of the Channel. In spring they 

 fix their abode in moist and marshy meadows, where they lay 

 their eggs, four or five in number, of a greenish- grey hue, 

 speckled with small brown spots. In the autumn they spread 

 themselves along the sea- shore. Their size nearly equals that of 

 the largest of the Sandpipers. 



The KNOT (Tringa, Linn.) has a bill as long as the head; the 

 toes divided, the back toe short ; the wings pointed ; a shape 

 rather heavy and thick- set. They frequent the sea- shore and 

 salt marshes, and, except by accident, never venture far inland. 

 They are natives of the Arctic Polar Circle, and visit our coasts 

 in the spring and autumn. They lay their eggs, four or five 

 in number, in their northern retreats. 



