THE RUFF. 
197 
therefore now spread themselves over Europe, and the con- 
tiguous continents, until the return of spring invites them 
again to revisit the north. Different from the birds of the 
preceding section of this genus, the breeding limits of the 
Ruff extend from the marshes of England and Holland to 
the confines of the Arctic circle, and while the mass of the 
species are driven by the vicissitudes of the seasons to per- 
form extensive migrations for the means of support, others, 
residing in milder climes, scarcely proceed further, in the 
course of the winter, than to the sea-coasts in the vicinity 
of their native marshes. At any rate, it appears certain, 
that the Ruff, unlike the sandpiper, never wanders into 
tropical climates. Come from where they may, they appear 
again in the eastern parts of Great Britain, to which their 
visits in that kingdom are now wholly confined, about the 
latter end of April, resorting to the fens of Lincolnshire, 
the Isle of Ely, and a few other places, which suit their 
peculiar habits. 
In the month of May, the male, besides the red and 
carunculated face, acquires the curious and ornamental Ruff, 
which characterizes the breeding season. It is scarcely 
completed in this month, and begins to fall in the latter end 
of June. With this singular decoration, he also undergoes 
a complete change in the rest of his plumage, the colours 
are more gay and brilliant ; there is then a predominance 
of rufous and purple tints among the others, and the plain 
and sombre livery of winter is laid aside. 
