Genus MACHETES, Cu,

Gen. Cuar. Bill straight, rather slender, as long as the he

| ad, with the up dilated and smooth.
Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pl

aced in the commencement of the groove. Wings long and
sharp-pointed ; first and second quill-feathers equal

and longest. Legs long and slender.
Trbice naked for a considerable space

: above the tarsal joint. Feet four-toed ; three before,
and one behind; the outer toe united to the middle one by
joint ; hind toe short.

a membrane as far as the first

: ;
The head and neck of the male, during the breeding-season, are adorned with long plumose

feathers, springing from the occiput and throat, w

hich, when raised, form a large ruff
around the head ; and the face of the male |

nird, during the same period, is covered with
small fleshy warts or papille.

RUFF.

Machetes pugnax, Cw.

Le Bécasseau combattant.

Tue species of the great family of Sandpipers, from which this remarkable bird has been separated into a
distinct genus, are well known to undergo a striking periodical change of plumage immediately preceding the
season of reproduction ; but it is in the present bird alone that we find so great a diversity of colour in the
plumage during this period, as to render it scarcely possible to discover two individuals exactly according
with each other either in tints or markings. In one, for example, we find the frill of a beautiful buff, with
elegant bars of black ; in another, white, grey, or chestnut, with longitudinal markings of shining black with
violet reflections. Others, again, have the frill of a uniform white, black, or brown, with auricular feathers
of a different colour. The remainder of the plumage (and it is even the same with the colouring of the legs
and bill) undergoes a considerable change, though not to so remarkable a degree as do the feathers of the neck.
With the accession of these ornamental plumes, the ruff also acquires a multitude of small warty tubercles,
thickly disposed over the front part of the head. To figure the whole of these spring changes common to
the male is of course impossible ; we have therefore selected for our Plate an example the colour of which
could be most faithfully represented. This remarkable change, by which the Ruff is so much distinguished,
commences and is completed during the month of April. In this, which we may call its most perfect state of
plumage, it continues about a month, when the plumes are gradually thrown off, and by the end of June it
assumes its more common appearance, which it retains during the remainder of the year, no difference
being then to be perceived between the individual whose frill had been white, and the one in which it had
been black. The females, or Reeves, are much smaller than the male, are never adorned with the elongated
feathers of the neck, and vary but little in their plumage throughout the year, which is very similar to that
of the male in his winter dress.

In England the Ruff is not so abundant as it was formerly: its chief resorts now are the fens of Cambridge-
shire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk, although some few are occasionally found in other places. In Holland
and the low and marshy districts of France and Germany it is in the greatest abundance. From these countries
it spreads northwards i very high latitudes during the summer, as it is known to breed in Lapland, Sweden,
and Russia. ee ee

The Ruff may be considered a strictly migratory species, retiring to southern latitudes in le and ancl:
ving in our own in the early part of spring, the males making their appearauce several days previous t0 their
expected mates. Unlike the 7rnee@ in general, the Ruff is polygamous in its baluis, each male clauming to
himself a certain district, the limits of which he defends with the utmost obstinacy. On the arrival of the
females, the males pay their attentions by various displays of their plumage, ae is now in full perfection ;
and as many lay claim to the same female, sharp contests ensue for the possession of her, and she becomes
the prize of the conqueror. ms ae ee

On account of the great delicacy of its flesh, the Ruff is highly esteemed for the table ; hence various
means are resorted to for the purpose of securing them alive, in onder that they may be fattened in
confinement. They soon become extremely tame and familiar ; are fed with bread ong milk, boiled wheat and
other farinaceous seeds, which they eat with great avidity ; and speedily become very fat. In a state of nature
their food consists of worms, aquatic insects, and their larvae. ce a

As the description of one male in his summer dress will we be applicable to any ot 1 - ividual, we sha
with giving that of the male in winter, which is the same in every example.

content ourselves ce , a |
ach feather having its centre of a deeper tint, and its margin of a

The whole of the upper surface brown, e eee ene nae
light reddish grey ; the whole of the under surface is white ; feet and bill light brown.
) ise, . e ° ° x
The fe i or Reeve, is full a third less than the male, and closely accords with him in his winter dress,
io . e neck, and breast are light brown, mingled with darker blotches.

except that the throat, fore part of th ee
a Plate represents a male in summer and winter plumage, and an adult female, all of the natural size.