316 
SCOLOPACIDiE. 
or slight elevation in the marsh, is of the coarse grass by 
which it is surrounded. Montague says, “ that the Reeves 
begin to lay their eggs the first or second week in May ; 
and that he has found the nest with young ones as early 
as the 3rd of June. It will be seen by the two figures 
of the Plate, that the eggs of this species are subject to 
considerable variety. Mr. Henry Doubleday, who sent 
me a beautiful series of the eggs when I was publishing 
the Oology , says that some of these eggs, when fresh, are 
of a beautiful clear green, which is peculiar to them: 
others have a close resemblance to eggs of the great 
snipe, which they represent in several collections. Some 
of the varieties are like eggs of the redshank. 
The following amusing sketch was sent to me from 
Muoniovara, by Mr. Wolley, who is now spending his 
second winter in Finland. “ The Ruff, like other fine 
gentlemen, takes much more trouble with his courtship 
than with his duties as a husband. Whilst the Reeves 
are sitting on their eggs, scattered about the swamps, he 
is to be seen far away flitting about in flocks, and on the 
ground dancing and sparring with his companions. Before 
they are confined to their nests, it is wonderful with what 
devotion the females are attended by their gay followers, 
who seem to be each trying to be more attentive than the 
rest. 
Nothing can be more expressive of humility and ardent 
love than some of the actions of the Ruff. He throws 
himself prostrate on the ground, with every feather on 
his body standing up and quivering, but he seems as if 
he were afraid of coming too near his mistress. If she 
flies off, he starts up in an instant to arrive before her 
at the next place of alighting, and all his actions are 
full of life and spirit. But none of this spirit is expended 
in care for his family. He never comes to see after an 
