62 SCOLOPAC1D.E. 



GRALLA TORES. SVULOJ'A CID.E. 



PLATE CXCV. 



RUFF. 



MACHETES PTJ6NAX. 



The Ruff and Reeve, as the male and female of this 

 species are called, are among the most extraordinary of all 

 known species of the feathered tribes, principally on account 

 of the endless variety of plumage and colouring that they 

 present; and we consider this also one of the most bewildering 

 species for a young naturalist to meet with. We have had 

 a great number of males, females, and young birds at the 

 same time brought to us, but not two resembled each other 

 either in plumage or colouring of legs, beaks, or orbits, nor 

 were alike in size. In Britain the species is well known, 

 and annually seen in its proper locality, chiefly in Norfolk 

 and Lincolnshire. In Holland greater numbers congregate 

 than in any other part of Europe, although the species is 

 very generally distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa, 

 even as far as the Cape of Good Hope. 



The Ruff is a migratory bird, passing the winter in 

 milder regions than our own, and returning in the spring 

 of the year to breed, as well here as further northward, 

 yet not beyond central Norway in Europe, or Siberia in 

 Asia. 



