152 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xiv. 



only four feet from my tent. He invariably returned first, and 

 seemed to be " cock of the walk." He seldom moved from 

 his own hill. Twice a day, during about three days, at ii 

 a.m. and 2 p.m. (solar time) a Reeve alighted close to him. 

 All the Ruffs on this hill saw her coming, and bowed them- 

 selves to the ground as she approached, and remained in 

 this devotional attitude for some seconds after she left. 

 This Reeve is visible on the plate ; she is standing by the 

 Ruff on the right-hand side, with her back to the observer. 



RL 1 1 s. 



An affair of honour. 

 {Photographed by E. L. Turner.) 



She is preening her breast, and the wings are parted, showing 

 the white rump. Each day she took her stand by this Ruff ; 

 she did not approach the others. After her departure, the 

 six or seven other Ruffs would suddenly straighten themselves, 

 and either begin, to dance or else two would fight. Sometimes 

 all fought, and there ensued a characteristic whirl of wings ; 

 if two only engaged, the rest looked on at the duel. But as 

 far as my limited observations went, the fights were sham 

 fights, and mere exercises in the art of fencing. The arrival 

 of an extra bird on the scene generally meant a display of 



