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racter than even those. The bill, although a little flexible 

 towards the base, is very firm and hard at the tip ; and the 

 feet are properly walking feet. 



Their colours can hardly be described ; at least there would 

 be but small use in the description, as they vary almost as 

 much as in domestic fowls. The length of the male is between 

 eleven and twelve inches, of which the bill occupies one inch ; 

 the female is one-third less. The axis of the body is more 

 elevated in front, and the neck more upright in walking, than 

 in the other marsh birds, and they walk with a strut, the 

 male especially, when he assumes the Spanish cloak and 

 feather, and mounts his hill, determined to fight boldly for 

 the sovereignty of the dames. 



They are rare in England, compared with what they were 

 formerly, and appear only on particular spots of the fens. 

 They arrive in spring, the males before the females ; and 

 while there are none but males, they dwell in peace, feeding 

 in the night or at early dawn, and reposing during the day. 

 But (causa teterrima belli /) when the females begin to 

 arrive, all the Dons are in motion and in arms. They " hill," 

 as it is called ; that is, they assemble on a rising knoll, and 

 battle for the surrounding spot and the lady, not in bands 

 under leaders as some have alleged, but each single-handed, 

 or rather single-billed, for himself. The contest often lasts 

 for several days, or is renewed on several mornings ; but 

 whether the victor of each day leads off a female at the close 

 of the warfare of the same, or whether the same female occa- 

 sions a contest of several days' operation, has not been said. 

 The battles of the hill continue, however, till all are mated 

 to their desert ; by which time the hill itself is often trodden 

 like a pathway. 



The nests are rudely formed of withered grass, in the has- 

 socks or tufts, which are separated from each other by sludgy 

 or miry places ; the eggs are four, olive-brown spotted with 



