THE RELATIONS OF THE SEXES 159 



arrival causes the same general excitement, and is appropriated 

 by one or other of the successful cocks, till the Karems are 

 filled up, one cock having at times as many as six or seven 

 hens. As the season advances, after the first few mornings of 

 the hens coming to the ground, they resort to the same spot 

 each day, and stay with the same cock who has previously 

 trodden them, and are not interfered with afterwards by other 

 cocks, who acknowledge the superior claims of the male to 

 whom they rightfully belong." 



The tournaments of the Ruffs may serve as our second 

 illustration of these weaponless duels. 



The term " Ruff" is more particularly applied to the males 

 of a species of Sandpiper {^Pavoncella pugnax), the females 

 being distinguished as "Reeves". The male bird derives its 

 name from the fact that during the spring it develops a very 

 remarkable nuptial dress, the most conspicuous feature of which 

 is formed by a large frill of feathers which, encircling the upper 

 part of the neck, can be erected or depressed at will. But 

 besides these, certain feathers from the occipital region of the 

 head become greatly elongated, forming a pair of tufts known 

 as the " ears '. This frill, which, as we have elsewhere remarked, 

 presents a most wonderful variety in its coloration, is made to 

 play a very important part in the critical work of courtship. 



During this time the Ruffs select such eminences as the fen- 

 lands afford whereon to assemble and display their finery. At 

 the break of day, as in the case of the Black game, the per- 

 formers assemble at the favoured spot and commence at once 

 to disport themselves, now sparring one with another, and now 

 standing one in front of another with outspread frill and head 

 bent down till the beak rests upon the ground, immovable, only 

 to commence again to spar. Now and again some display of 

 temper is shown, one bird endeavouring to seize another by 

 the beak and administer a rain of blows with its wings; or 

 the two will rise in the air and strike at each other with their 

 feet. The more vigorous appear to take possession of certain 

 definite areas and to hold these against all comers. 



Sooner or later the females appear upon the scene, when 

 they are courted vigorously by the males, who display their 

 frills assiduously. And, so far as can be made out, it would 

 seem that the more active, excitable and strikingly coloured 



