Genus MACHETES, Cuv. 



Gen. Char. Bill straight, rather slender, as long as the head, with the tip dilated and smooth. 

 Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, placed in the commencement of the groove. Wings long and 

 sharp-pointed ; first and second quill-feathers equal and longest. Legs long and slender. 

 Tibice 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 a membrane as far as the first 

 joint ; hind toe short. 



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

 feathers, springing from the occiput and throat, which, when raised, form a large ruff 

 around the head ; and the face of the male bird, during the same period, is covered with 

 small fleshy Avarts or papillae. 



RUFF. 



Machetes pugnax, Cuv. 

 Le Becasseau combattant. 



The 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 to very high latitudes during the summer, as it is known to breed in Lapland, Sweden, 

 and Russia. 



The Ruff may be considered a strictly migratory species, retiring to southern latitudes in winter, and arri- 

 ving in our own in the early part of spring, the males making their appearance several days previous to their 

 expected mates. Unlike the Tringce in general, the Ruff is polygamous in its habits, each male claiming 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, which 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. 



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 order that they may be fattened in 

 confinement. They soon become extremely tame and familiar ; are fed with bread and 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. 



As the description of one male in his summer dress will not be applicable to any other individual, we shall 

 content ourselves with giving that of the male in winter, which is the same in every example. 



The whole of the upper surface brown, each feather having its centre of a deeper tint, and its margin of a 

 light reddish grey ; the whole of the under surface is white ; feet and bill light brown. 



The female, or Reeve, is full a third less than the male, and closely accords with him in his winter dress, 

 except that the throat, fore part of the neck, and breast are light brown, mingled with darker blotches. 



The Plate represents a male in summer and winter plumage, and an adult female, all of the natural size. 



