224 
REIT. 
of the typical Grallatores, we see one which is 
polygamous, and which, during the commencement 
of the love season, frequents a particular elevated 
spot, displaying his plumage to the other sex, and 
challenging and combating with all rivals that in- 
trude on his station. These habits are all found 
among the Rasores almost alone, and it is among 
them, also, that we most generally see the largely 
developed wattles, and the exuberance of plumage 
about the head or 'neck represented here by the 
warty papilla 1 , and large ruffs in the males, all 
which is still more marked by the constant varia- 
tion which occurs in the colouring and marking of 
the latter. The best account of the habits and 
manner of taking tbe Ruff, during the breeding 
season, will be found in Colonel Montague's Dic- 
tionary, from which we give some abridgment, it 
being impossible to pass over the singular habits of 
a bird belonging to this family, that so peculiarly 
possesses them, even though they should have been 
often detailed already. 
“ In the spring the Ruffs hill, as it is termed, 
that is, they assemble upon a rising spot of ground 
contiguous to where the species prepare to deposit 
their eggs ; there they take their stand at a small 
distance from each other, and contend for the fe- 
males. This hill, or place of resort for love and 
battle, is sought for by the fowler, who from habit 
discovers it by the birds having trodden the turf 
somewhat bare, though not in a circle, as usually 
described. 
