COMMON GOD WIT. RUFF. 153 



treme, no two birds in the same position or attitude ; some 

 actively engaged probing for food, and others running in dif- 

 ferent directions searching for a suitable place to commence 

 operations ; the great portion of the flock enjoying their ease, 

 standing upon one leg, with the bill completely buried in the 

 plumage of the back. 



In summer the plumage bears a resemblance in its reddish 

 colour to the last ; it is, however, seldom observed on our 

 shores at that season, taking its departure to northern lati- 

 tudes for the breeding season. 



Habitat Northern Europe. 



GENUS LXXIV MACHETES (RUFF). 

 SPECIES 143 THE RUFF. 



Machetes pugnax. Cuv. 



Combattant variable. Temm. 



Reeve. 



THE RUFF is the most remarkable in appearance and curi- 

 ous in habits of our occasional migrating shore-birds. Oc- 

 curring with us in very limited numbers, it is seldom obtained 

 unless a chance specimen forwarded to the markets in the 

 city ; which, in most instances, is in the plumage of the female 

 or young, very rarely occurring with the beautiful ruff en- 

 circling the neck, for which the male bird has obtained the 

 name. Of extreme rarity,; in that stage, four or five speci- 

 mens are the utmost we can reckon as having occurred in 

 Ireland. 



Remarkable for the pugnacity of its disposition, it has been 

 separated by Cuvier from the more sociable sandpipers into 

 a separate genus, characterized " Machetes," the literal trans- 

 lation signifying Fighter. The peculiarity of the ruff is re- 

 marked during the breeding season when the males, adorned 

 with the long sweeping plumes which form their nuptial at- 

 traction, and which spring from the plumage of the neck, at 

 that period assemble upon any spot of rising ground conti- 

 guous to the stations where they intend to nidify. Standing 

 in proximity to each other, they watch every movement to act 

 as an excuse for contention ; this obtained, the head is instantly 

 lowered, and the large ruff thrown forward round the head, 

 both birds flying upwards at the same time, and striking with 

 the action of a domestic cock. The whole time the females 

 or reeves enjoy the admirable graces of the combatants, 



