212 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Genus MACHETES, or Ruffs. 



Type, MACHETES PUGNAX. 



Machetes, of Cuvier (1817). The birds comprising the present genus are 

 characterised by having the tail much graduated. The metatarsus is very long, 

 exceeding the bill in length, and the bare part of the tibia is about equal to the 

 metatarsus in length. The bill is short ; the wings long and pointed ; toes three 

 in front, one behind, elevated. The sternum contains one notch only on the 

 posterior margin. In the male, during the breeding season, the face is bare of 

 feathers and warty, and the body is decorated with a large breast shield and ruff. 



This genus is composed of a single species, which is distributed over the 

 Palsearctic region in summer and the Ethiopian and Oriental regions in winter. 

 It is a rare visitor to the British Islands in summer, but fairly common during 

 the two seasons of passage. 



The Huff does not differ in its general habits or in the localities it frequents 

 from allied birds. Its eggs and mode of nidification are also normal Totaninae ; 

 but there are several features connected with its reproduction of exceptional 

 interest, and which will be described in the account of the species. 



