THE TURNSTONE. THE DUNEIN. 
101 
parts of Yorkshire, in the spring. The male, which is called 
• he Ruff, from the remarkable bunch of feathers which sur- 
rounds its neck just below the head, is so various in its 
plumage, that it is not easily described ; the ground is, how- 
ever, mostly brown. The female, which is called the Reeve, 
is less than' the ruff, and has her plumage more of a uniform 
brown. This bird is so noted for its contentious spirit, that 
it has obtained the epithet of the fighter. In the beginning 
°f spring, when these birds arrive among our marshes, they 
;tl 'e observed to engage, with desperate fury, against each 
°ther. It is then that the fowlers, seeing them intent on 
'"ritual destruction, spread their nets over them, and take 
them in great numbers; yet, even in captivity, their animo- 
sity still continues. The people that fatten them up for 
sale are obliged to shut them up in close, dark rooms ; for 
if they let ever so little light in among them, the turbulent 
prisoners instantly fall to fighting with each other, and never 
"ease till each has killed its antagonist, especially, says Wil- 
loughby, if any body stands by. A similar animosity, though 
'" less degree, prompts all this tribe ; but when they have 
paired, and begun to lay, their contentions are then over. 
I he Knot is three inches less than the ruff, measuring not 
"lore than nine inches, and weighing only four ounces and 
a half. The head and neck are ash colour, . the back and 
Sca pulars brown, with a white bar on the wings, lhey fre- 
quent the coastofLincolnshire from August toNovember, and 
'vlien fattened are preferred by some to the ruffs themselves. 
The Purro, or Stint , weighs only an ounce and a half, 
f"d is in length seven inches. A white stroke divides the 
"'ll and eyes. The upper parts of the plumage are brownish 
a ®h colour, the breast and belly white, as are the lower paits 
°f the quill feathers. These birds come in vast flocks on 
0llr sea-coasts in winter, and in their flight observe unconi- 
Pjpn regularity, appearing like a white or a dusky clout . 
A hey we ,. e formerly a frequent dish at our tables, known 
y the name of stints. .... 
. A he Turnstone is about the size of a thrush. A he bi 
! s "early an inch long, and turns a little upwards. I ho 
’ ea d, throat, and bell)', are white, the breast black, and the 
' ec k encircled with a black collar. The upper parts of 
: ll f plumage are of a pale reddish brown. These birds 
ake their name from their method of finding their food, 
"ch is by turning up small stones with their bills, to git 
at ml e ins ects which lurk under them. 
p A he Dunlin is the size of a jack snipe, ihe uppei P aI 8 
*Aie plumage are ferrugincous, marked with laige spo s 
