376 



TOTANUS. 



Excess 

 females, 



of 



Variation in 

 plumage. 



There can be no doubt that the number of females greatly exceeds that of the males. 

 Naurnann, who was by far the most accurate observer of birds who has recorded the results 

 of his observations, estimated (Naturg. Vogel Deutschlands, vii. p. 544) that there were 

 three females to one male during the breeding-season ; and Andersson, who met with the 

 Ruff in its winter-quarters in South Africa, remarks (Birds of Damara-Land, p. 305) that 

 the flocks generally consisted of from three to a dozen birds, all females, with perhaps now 

 and then a male. It is very remarkable that so acute an observer as Darwin should have 

 arrived (Descent of Man, i. p. 306) at the opposite conclusion, because more male than 

 female Ruffs are sent to market. In Montagu's excellent account of the habits of the 

 Ruff (Orn. Diet. 2nd ed. p. 444) the facts are stated accurately. In spring the nets are 

 spread on the places where the male Ruffs assemble to fight, and consequently very few 

 Reeves are caught. In autumn, when the birds are caught on migration, it is expressly 

 stated that " few old males are taken." The Ruff is so much larger, at least a third, than 

 the Reeve that even after the autumn moult they are easily distinguished. It is possible 

 that the number of Ruffs born may equal that of the Reeves, and that the former may be 

 lessened by the constant fights occurring between them, but I know of no evidence that 

 such is the case. 



The extraordinary variation in the plumage of the Ruff might be quoted as an 

 instance of the worthlessness of colour as a generic or subgeneric character, were it not for 

 the fact that even in the Ruff, which varies more in colour than any other bird, there are 

 some parts which scarcely vary at all with age, sex, or season. These are the quills, lesser 

 wing-coverts, primary-coverts, lower back, rump, under wing-coverts, axillaries, the centre 

 of the belly, the under tail-coverts, and the four outer tail-feathers on each side. On the 

 whole, therefore, we may claim that the evidence of the Ruff is in favour of the value of 

 colour as a subgeneric character, and of the highest importance in pointing out the parts 

 to which attention must be directed. 



/ 



TOTANUS BARTRAMI. 



BABTBAM'S SANDPIPFB. 



Diagnosis. Totanus primariarum pogoniis internis valde fasciatis. 



Variations. No local races of this species are known. 



