yds. A SB OCs 
riding of York/hire*; they arrive at thofe places early in the fpring, 
and difappear about Michaelmas. 
The Reeve lays four eggs in a tuft of grafs the beginning of May ; 
they are white, marked with large rufty fpots. 
Soon after their arrival, the males begin to Ai//; that is, to collect 
on fome dry bank near a fplath of water, in expeCtation of the females. 
Each male keeps pofleffion of a fmall piece of ground, round which 
it runs fo often as to form a bare circular path; the inftant a female 
alights among them, the males are in motion; a general battle enfues, 
and the fowlers, who have been waiting for the advantage of fuch an 
event, catch them in their nets in great numbers +. 
In the fens each male remains within his circle, and defends himfelf 
againft every invader with much refolution; the leaft infringement on 
his poffeffion by another male is refented with the greateft violence ; 
and if any farther attack is made, a battle is the confequence: in 
fighting they have the fame action as a cock, fpread their ruffs, and 
place their bills to the ground. 
“¢ It is ufual to fat thefe birds for table by means of bread and muck 
mixed with hemp-feed, and fometimes boiled wheat; to thefe by many 
fugar is added ,; which laft in a fortnight’s time will caufe them to be 
one Jump of fat, when they will fetch from two fhillings to half a 
crown each.”—Laih. Gen. Syn. 
* Erit. Zool. 
+ They vifit a place called Martin-mere in Lancafbire, the latter end of March, or 
beginning of April, but do not continue there above three weeks.—Brit. Zool. 
