R U 1 ’ F. 
MACHETES PUGNAX. 
There is no denying Rie fact that it was at first a difficulty to decide as to the scientific name of this species ; 
having, however, considered the observations taken while watching their habits for several years, I quite agree 
with the remarks in the first paragraph in the fourth edition of Yarrell, which is as follows “ The Ruff differs 
in so many points from the species included in the genera Totanus, Scolopaw, and Tringa, that the generic 
division and term 2Iacheies *, in reference to its pugnacious habits, proposed for it by Cuvier, has been 
admitted by the majority of systematic writers.” 
During the last thirty years this singular bird has greatly decreased in numbers throughout the British 
Islands ; though several make their appearance every spring in the eastern counties, there are at tlie present 
time but t«-o or ti.ree looaliiies where they remain to roar their youns, if they are not molested. The 
swamps ami marshes formerly frequented liy them having been so reduced by the improved system of drainage 
few spots suitable to their requirements are left ; added to which the demand for their eggs and the o-eneral 
persecution to which they are exposed have rendered it almost impossible for the residents to resort to their 
old Iiannts during spring and summer. dYlien I first visited Hielding Broad, in the east of Norfolk, in May 
18/0, there were several Buffs and Beeves on the hills; the Bedshanks and Peewits, however, by dashine down 
and screaming, disturbed them whenever an attempt ivas made to get within range. 
On tlm 2nd of June we started in the boats from Ileigham Bridge an hour before midnight, in order to 
reach the Broad by daybreak ; unfortunately, however, the Buffs and Beeves were put on the alert by the same 
wo species. These noisy pests (too numerous to he shot down) continued flying round, giving notice of our 
pproaeh when the whole flock of birds we were in quest of were either fighting or feeding on a low part of 
o • 
To pass the time while making our way I, rolled up in a couple of warm rugs and pusliin-. my head into 
some so t cushions just under the fore deck, dropped off to sleep. While quanting slowly overlhe'lp w ”ter 
m the channel over Ileigham Sounds, after having left the river, the man who was working my punt roused 
me up quietly and drew my attention to one of those curious lights known in some parts as “ Jack-o’-Lanterns ” 
A id So Tb " t- Tl- luminous mystery was first observed ou the small islai^rjed 
nextlioveldr ir T r1 water-plants tor a minute or two. It 
xt hovered further into the dense cover extending towards the Ileigham marshes, and was finally lost si-rlit 
of among the high reeds that flourish here, the light becoming gradually more indistinct Perhans ' tliis 
“e'te ‘by rwutclf ”ti" 1''! t" 7“ "" ^ 
Ulo ume oy my vatcli. Tliese lights are not now so often seen in this rtf i 
by, the roelaiming of the marshes having rendered the ground too dry. At one time 'they 7ei7 s7l ‘rirver 
* Pugnator. 4. t • r . 
T Ignis fatuus. 
