THE BIRDS OF THE GREEN LANES. 



122 



bird signify, the ruff is exceedingly quarrelsome, and 

 fighting appears to be with it a real pleasure. In 

 the Fen districts, they will collect on little mounds for 

 the purpose of having a " round," until the ground 



Fig. 86 



The RnfF nnd Reeve (Machetes pugnax). 



is quite worn by the stamping of their feet ! The 

 immediate object of such a fight is the possession of 

 one of the fair sex. Their manner of fighting, with 

 head lowered, frill distended, and wings trailing the 



