2o6 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



of May it must progress very slowly. It does not reach its 

 breeding grounds in the Arctic regions before the end of May, or 

 the first week or ten days of June. The return migration begins 

 in August, and continues through September into October. A 

 few linger on the British coasts throughout the winter. Both 

 on migration and in its winter quarters the Ruff is decidedly 

 gregarious, and not only frequents the mud-flats and salt marshes 

 on and near the coast, but many inland haunts. The flight of 

 this bird is rapid and well-sustained, and it both runs and walks 

 during its search for food, occasionally wading in the shallows. 

 During its short sojourn on the British coasts it seems to prefer 

 mud-flats, and is especially numerous in many of the marshy 

 districts of East Anglia — once a favourite breeding place of this 

 species. The Ruff is a remarkably silent bird, even at the 

 breeding grounds, but it is said to utter a low whit whilst on 

 migration. This I have never heard, although I have had many 

 Ruffs under my observation in autumn, both on the south coast 

 and the low-lying eastern counties. The food of the Ruff consists 

 of insects and their larvse, worms, snails, small seeds, rice, and 

 various vegetable substances. 



Nidification. — By far the most interesting portion of the 

 Ruff's economy is that relating to its reproduction. It is a poly- 

 gamous bird, probably because for some unknown reason the 

 females are greatly in excess of the males, estimated by several 

 competent authorities to preponderate in the ratio of three to one. 

 Like most polygamous birds the male Ruffs are very pugnacious, 

 and during the " hilling " or mating season congregate at certain 

 chosen spots to engage in combat for the favours of the females. 

 The "hills," or fighting places, are generally small patches of 

 open elevated land, where the herbage is short, and five or six 

 feet across. These " hills '' are resorted to yearly, and have been 

 known to continue in use for fifty years ! Here the rival males 

 engage in what seem to be furious and deadly conflicts, although 

 little harm seldom happens to the combatants. The excitement 

 is intense enough, and the weaker birds are driven from the 

 " hills," the birds rushing at each other with their ruffs expanded, 

 and giving thrust after thrust with their bills. Several duels often 

 take place at the same time on one "hill," and the meets 



