VOL. XIV.] SOME NOTES ON THE RUFF. 153 



energy on the part of all the Ruffs, which had taken up their 

 positions. They either rushed at him, or else gyrated on 

 their own little hills. If all the hills were occupied the 

 intruder flew away. 



I saw a number of nests, they were generally placed along- 

 side the dykes, where the ground is slightly raised. The 

 Reeves were very tame ; it is difficult to keep them off the 

 nest while you are erecting your tent, and they slip back and 

 snuggle down in their rather deep nests long before you are 

 ready for them. The Reeve's life is a busy one, and there 

 seems no room in it for fear. The beautifully pencilled 

 plumage harmonizes well with the lush green grass and rushes. 

 These so-called meadows where the Reeve and many other of 

 the Texel birds nest are charming in May and June. They 

 are gay with pink thrift and sea-aster, for the flora is largely 

 of a maritime character. I was reproved for calling these 

 fields " marshes." They would be marshes at home, but in 

 Holland they are reclaimed lands. The Reeve allows herself 

 very little leisure, when on the feed she feverishly pecks 

 insects from the grass and never wanders far from her nest. 



Both Ruffs and Reeves are numerous everywhere in 

 Holland where there is suitable breeding-ground. They are 

 looked upon as game, which seems a pity. However, the 

 Dutch have learnt wisdom from our mistakes. Their wealth 

 of bird-life must inevitably decrease before the advance of 

 science, and, so, large reserves have been purchased within 

 recent years. Here the birds may breed in peace. I owe a 

 large debt of gratitude to the controllers of these sanctuaries 

 for letting me wander at large, for alas, the Englishman is 

 regarded with considerable suspicion ! As one eminent Dutch 

 ornithologist remarked to me : " We preserve our birds for 

 the English to steal their eggs." 



