54 ORNITHOLOGY OF CORNWALL. 



and passing at once to the Avocet, where it appears in its extreme 

 development.— The other species now under notice — the Euff, 

 deserves separation from the family (Tringa) at the head of which 

 it has stood, as it shews sevei-al aberrant forms of character, both 

 in plumage and habits, not observable in the other members of 

 this genus. Tlie first is the remarkable assumption, in the spring 

 months, of a large ruff and lengthened ear-feathers of the head and 

 neck in the male, whence its name, with a mass of small tuber- 

 culated warts encircling the eyes and the base of the bill. — 

 Secondly ; in the superior size of the male to the female, contrary 

 to the relations of size in the other Stints. Thirdly ; in its poly- 

 gamous character. Fourthly ; in the systematic warfare carried 

 on by the males during the breeding season. These characters 

 not belonging to the other species, a new sub-genus has been 

 established for the Euff under the title of Machetes — a name signi- 

 ficant of its warlike propensities. 



