MACHETES PUGNAX. 283 



On the Spanish side, the Little Stint occurs in like manner ; 

 but I never saw any large numbers near Gibraltar. 



Plumage above much as in Dunlin both in summer and winter, but bill 

 quite straight. 



Outer tail-feathers ashy brown ; legs and feet black. Length 6 inches. 



310. Tringa temmincki, Leisler. Temminck's Stint. 



This Stint is not referred to by Favier or recorded by Mr. 

 Drake as occurring on the African side of the Straits, where, 

 however, they are of course to be found as on the Spanish side, 

 being common there during the winter and found in small parties 

 of from six to a dozen or more in number. They keep much to 

 the muddy banks of tidal rivers, especially frequenting the 

 salinas, or salt-pits ; a sure locality for them used to be the 

 abandoned or unused salinas near Palmones, between Algeciraz 

 and Gibraltar, and they are very seldom seen alone, being usually 

 tame and easy to obtain. I failed to observe any later than the 

 month of March ; but no doubt they further prolong their stay in 

 southern parts. 



Bill straight ; legs and feet greenish brown. 

 Outer tail-feathers pure white. Length of inches. 



311. Machetes pugnax (Linnaeus). The Ruff (male). The 



Reeve (female). 



Moorish. Habeeb el tchibeeb (the friend of the Godwit). 



" This species is only observed near Tangier when on migration, 

 crossing to Europe during March, returning in July, August, and 

 September. Those which return in the last days of July still 

 exhibit traces of the breeding-plumage." Favier. 



The greater number of Ruffs pass northwards through Anda- 

 lucia in April; but flocks occasionally occur during January, 

 February, and March, some passing as late as the last week in 

 May. The males, or " Ruffs," are then in their inconvenient- 

 looking nuptial plumage, but they have not yet been detected 

 nesting so far south. 



