174 
NATURAL HISTOKY 
RUFF. 
The very singular and grotesque oppear- 
ance of the mule of this species, is such as 
attracts attention from even the most incuri- 
ous observer. The feathers on the back part 
of the head, and on the neck, are long, and 
project to a considerable distance ; but in the 
female, these parts are quite plain and 
smooth. There is a wonderful and almost 
infinite variety in the colours of the feathers 
of the males ; so that in spring, there can 
scarcely be found any two exactly alike- 
This small creature has been endowed with 
great natural courage. Spurred by love, die 
males fight desperately for the females, and 
the strongest often destroy many of their 
sex. The female is called Reeve, and their 
flesh affords a very luscious meat. 
