THE PURR. 483 



the other, that no two birds of this species are exactly alike. 

 The feet and beak are, however, always red ; the face is red 

 and covered with warts ; and there is a collar, composed of 

 long feathers, round the neck, which the bird erects when angry. 



The colours in the plumage of the female are less variable. 

 She is pale brown ; the back being spotted with black ; and 

 the breast and belly white. She has no collar. 



Observations. The Ruff feeds upon worms, insects, and marsh 

 grasses, and generally builds its nest in some wet meadow, upon 

 a dry turf, or among rushes. The flesh of the female is palat- 

 able, but the males must be fattened before they are fit for the 

 table. The latter are particularly noticeable for their quarrelsome 

 disposition. If several are confined in a cage, the strongest 

 kills the rest ; and they are so engaged during the combat, that a 

 net may be thrown over them without their perceiving it. They 

 are easily tamed, especially when young ; and it is worthy of 

 notice, that those reared from the nest in the aviary, never mani- 

 fest this disposition to quarrel ; although in the case of most birds 

 the contrary effect is observed to be produced. They may be fed 

 on meat, or bread and milk. 



194. THE PURR. 

 Tringa Cinclus, LIN. L'Alouette de Mer, BUF. Die Meerlerche, BECH. 



Description. This marsh bird, which is about the size of a 

 Bedwing Thrush, is common on the banks of all large rivers 

 and lakes, and may be recognised by its loud clear cry of Tzi, 

 tzi, tzi, tzi! uttered as it rises in the air. The beak is black; 

 the feet dark brownish green. The feathers of all the upper 

 part of the body are bright and silky in texture, and in colour 

 dark grey, composed of fine black lines, and edged with rust 

 colour. A white stripe passes over, and a narrow dark brown 

 line between the eyes. The under part of the body is a beau- 

 tiful white ; the breast being striped with dark brown. The 

 pen feathers are blackish brown ; the foremost having large 

 white spots on the inner, the rest on both plumes. The large 

 coverts are tipped with white, which produces two white spots 

 on the wings ; the three centre feathers of the tail are greyish 

 brown, with transverse stripes of black ; the rest white, edged 

 with dark brown. 



The female is a little larger, and somewhat lighter in colour. 



Observations. The Purr is easily tamed, and, on account of 

 its beauty and interesting habits, is quite worthy of a place in 

 the aviary. It is particularly rapid in its gait, keeps the hinder 



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