Elves are generally one species of the Fae, often characterized as being either as tall as humans, or tiny little beings. One is a race, intelligent and often vain in nature, and the other are trickster faeries lacking wings. The latter is popular in cartoons, children's books and Disney movies. But concerning the wings, Wil Huygen's book, The Complete Gnomes describes elves as "an airy spirit of nature, who loves carefree dancing and playing stringed instruments" and that "most of them have wings." He also says they live underground, in or on top of water (springs), in the air or branches of high trees. They can also "take on an animal image." Regarding the gender of an elf, he states that "there are male, female and sexless elves."
"Originally, they were small, mischievous beings that shot miniature arrows at humans, which didn't really hurt but were quite bothersome, prickling the feet of peasants as they walked across fields and pastures. They would also tie hairs of people and the tails of horses in knots as they slept."