MACHETES PUGNAX. 
877 
other Waders. Von Heuglin observes that they often fly about at some distance from their feeding-grounds, 
dashing about with a rapid Starling-like flight. Their food consists of insects, snails, worms, &c. ; and they 
likewise eat grain, feeding, according to Jerdon, greedily on rice. The Ruff is noted for the boldness of its 
disposition and the tremendous pugnacity of its nature during the breeding-season ; and it is during this 
time that its habits are so interesting, and have always furnished so much material for the pen of the naturalist. 
Its innate boldness is displayed from its earliest youth. The late Mr. H. Durnford writes as follows on his 
observations of it in North Frisia “ We observed some noble battles amongst the Ruffs, who, unless fighting, 
stand bolt upright, like Owls. When engaged in combat they stoop and charge like Gamecocks. The 
Reeves are silent except when they have young; and then they will fly slowly round one, with a low guttural 
note On Fdhr we observed one which, from its anxiety, betrayed the fact of its having young. We retired 
behind the sea-wall, glasses in hand ; and after waiting a few minutes, three young ones ran out from the 
grass and then a fourth. Leaving my brother to watch, I jumped up and ran to catch them, they a 
scuttled awav ; and I could only secure one, the others escaping in the long grass. However, we again retiree 
to watch, behind the bank, and had not been there half a minute before they ran out again and began to teecl 
with their mother. I merely mention this incident to show their bold and fearless nature. 
Mr. Dresser writes as follows touching the Ruff’s habits Its flight, when not encumbered with the 
ruff is tolerably swift and direct ; but the ruff appears to be a considerable hindrance ; and it is always careful 
to avoid getting the wind behind these feathers, for it is then scarcely able to steer itself. Its note is low, 
and is seldom heard except during passage, and consists of tones like the syllables hack, hack, kick, lcack. 
Unlike most of the Waders, it is a very tough and hardy bird, and will often get away with a good deal of 
shot in it ; and when wounded and caught alive it will frequently recover and thrive well. When caught it 
soon becomes reconciled to captivity, and almost at first feeds greedily. _ . , , , , 
“ When the breeding-season commences the males collect (or ‘ hill, as it is called) and fight, pro jably 
for the possession of the females ; but though their actions are fierce, and they appear to contend with great 
ardour they seldom harm one another. They are polygamous; but, as a rule, it would seem that a male 
Glows Greater preference for, and attaches himself more especially to, one favourite female.” 
^ T aree numbers of these birds used to be caught in the Lincolnshire fens and fattened for table. They 
* w d bv fowlers who lived an obscure life in out-of-the-way places on the fens, and who sold them 
tTLders "ome^ of whom were noted for their cleverness in fattening them for the tables of the rich. 
Montagu Mves a long account, in his ‘ Ornithological Dictionary/ of the manner m which the Ruff was taken, 
alludino- to some of the most celebrated feeders who were in the trade m his time. I extract the following 
f lbs notes — “ The manner of taking these birds is somewhat different m the two seasons. In the spring 
the Ruffs hill as it is termed ; that is, they assemble upon a rising spot of ground contiguous to where the Reeves 
iosc tQ ( iep 0S it their eggs ; there they take their stand at a small distance from each other, and contend 
for the females, after the nature of polygamous birds. 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) . 
“ When a hill has been discovered the fowler repairs to the spot before the break of day, spreads lus net, 
places his decoy-birds, and takes his stand at the distance of about 140 yards or more, according to the 
shyness^of the _nc^ ^ a gingle clap _ Detj about 17 fee t in length and G feet wide, with a pole at each 
end This bv means of uprights fixed in the ground, and each furnished with a pulley, is easily pulled over 
the birds within reach, and rarely fails taking all within its grasp; but in order to give the pull the greatest 
velocitv the net is (if circumstances will permit) placed so as to fold over with the wind ; however, there are 
fowlers who prefer pulling it against the wind as for Plovers. As the Ruffs feed chiefly by night, they 
8 • t0 tbe ir frequented hill at the dawn of day nearly all at the same time; and the fowler makes his first 
1 nil according to circumstances, takes out his birds, and prepares for the stragglers, who traverse the fens, 
ILl who have no adopted hill ; these are caught singly, being enticed by the stuffed birds.” 
fVnturcd birds were sometimes used as decoy-birds ; but usually the fowlers had recourse to very rudely 
ff { kins some of which, writes Montagu, were managed “so as to he movable by means of a long string, 
so that a jerk represents a jump (a motion very common amongst Ruffs, who at the sight of a wanderer flying 
£) U A 
