RUFF.
YR IM1.MBC.A11, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
REEVE, (FEMALE.) FIGHTING BVJT. SHORE 8 A K D P I P B B.
EQUESTRIAN SANDPIPER.
YELLOW-LEGGED SANDPIPER. GREENWICH SANDPIPER.
Machetes p«g«ax, GoUtD. SELBY.
Tringa pugnas, Pennant- M ° m A G U -
« cjueslris, LATHAM.
» ////<,««, LINN-EUS. LATHAM.
Totanus ctnereus, 3 R i s SON.
Mticheks—A Warrior. Pttgnax—Pugnacious.
THE Ruff is one of the most curious birds, if not the most curious,
of any that we have in this country.
In Europe, its range extends to Iceland, Russia, Sweden, Lapland,
Denmark, and Xorway, from Holland, France, Switzerland, and Italy,
in which latter countries however it is only a passing traveller. In
Malta too, they thus occur. In Asia, the species advances to Siberia,
from Persia and the Caucasian Range. In Africa, it is known at
the Cape.
This species was formerly common on some low ground between
Louth and the Lincolnshire coast, but the Rev. R. P. Alington has not
heard of any for several years. The Rev. George Jeans wrote mc word
subsequently that he saw several riocks in the autumn of L853. The
same may be said of Yorkshire, especially the East Hiding, and likewise
of Norfolk, in which county it still continues to breed, but in
greatly diminished numbers. Since the above was written, Edward
Dawson, Esq., of Osgodby Hall, near Selby, has informed me that a few
pairs still breed on Skipwith Common and Riccall Common. One was