270 
Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
their proper place. If on the ground, it then moves forward 
slowly and deliberately, nodding at every step as if in emphatic 
approval of its surroundings and its sagacity in selecting so suit- 
able a spot, and pays its attention to such insects as may catch 
its eye, uttering at times a peculiarly mournful sound, quite dif- 
ferent from its usual flute-like cry, to be answered possibly 
from out the heavens above by some comrade not yet distin- 
guishable to the naked eye. The flight of the Upland Plover 
is well sustained and swift, and often performed (as will be 
imagined from the above) at a great height ; indeed, so lofty at 
times that its voice alone indicates its presence, the bird being 
fairly out of sight. It will alight indiscriminately on the ground, 
fence, telegraph-pole, or, as has bj^.i noticed, even on a barn. 
When mated the pair keep close company, seeking food to- 
gether, and are rarely separated by any distance.” 
Nest. “ The nest is placed on the plain or prairie in some 
open spot, frequently near some water. It is not much of a 
structure, just a little grass in a depression of the ground ; but 
almost impossible to find at any time, even when the bird is on 
the eggs, so admirably does her plumage harmonise with that 
of her surroundings.” 
Eggs.— Four in number, clay-colour, spotted all over with 
dark brown, and purplish-grey. 
THE RUFFS. GENUS PAVONCELLA. 
Pavoncella, Leach, Syst. Cat. Mamm. and Birds, Brit. Mus. 
p. 29 (1816). 
Type, F. pugnax (L.). 
The extraordinary difference in the plumage of the sexes of 
the Ruff constitutes, perhaps, the most remarkable characteris- 
tic of the genus Pavoncella, which contains but a single species. 
It may almost be said with truth that scarcely two males are 
alike in plumage. The breast-shield and rufiT, which the bird 
dons at the period of the nesting-season, is one of the most 
striking nuptial garments of any bird in the world. 
I. THE RUFF. PAVONCELLA PUGNAX. 
Tringa pugnax, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 247 (1766). 
