MACHETES PUGNAS 325 



Total lengtli 9'50, wiug 5-90, culmen 1-30, tarsus 1-65. 



In spring, when the male assumes its full breeding plumage, the feathers 

 of the face are exchanged for warty excrescences, the sides of the head being 

 then adorned with peculiar curled tufts of feathers, and a conspicuous frill 

 or ruff being developed round the neck. In colour this ruff varies greatly, 

 purplish-black, pure white, and different shades of grey and chestnut being 

 all met with. The same colour is regained annually by each bird. 



This species, the only one of its genus, and one of the most 

 remarkable and peculiar of birds, is not uncommon in the Regency 

 during the winter and periods of passage. It is often to be found 

 in the immediate vicinity of the town of Tunis, and I have met 

 with it in spring on the banks of pools and marshy spots in the 

 inland districts of Central and Southern Tunisia. None of the 

 examples I obtained were in very advanced breeding dress. 



In Algeria and Marocco the species appears to be fairly abundant 

 in winter and on passage, and Dr. Koenig seems to have met with 

 it in TripoH. It is also recorded from the Canaries, Madeira, and 

 the Azores. 



The range of this bird extends over the greater part of Europe, 

 and a considerable portion of Asia, while in Africa it extends down 

 both sides of the continent to Cape Colony. The species has also 

 been found occasionally in North-east America, and once or twice 

 in South America. 



In England, where the male and female of this bird are differently 

 designated by the names of Euff and Reeve, the species used formerly 

 to be far more abundant than it is now, and considerable numbers 

 used to breed in our fen districts. As an article of food the flesh 

 of the bird was in high repute, and large quantities used to be netted 

 or snared and fattened for the table, commanding a high price in the 

 market. 



The practice of netting Ruffs and Reeves appears to be still 

 continued to a certain extent in Holland and some other countries. 



The present species chiefly frequents fresh-water pools and marshy 

 localities, and seems to be less partial to the sea-coast. It is essen- 

 tially gregarious in winter and usually to be found in flocks, either 

 large or small, often in the company or in the close vicinity of allied 

 species. Those which I met with in Tunisia were generally in small 

 parties of about a dozen individuals, feeding near similar flocks of 

 Totamis fuscus, or others of that genus. They were not particularly 



