NATURAL HISTORY. 



215 



CIRCUS. (Lat,) 



Cvaneus (Lat. azure), the Hen Harrier. 



The HARRIERS arc remarkable for the peculiar feathered 

 disk round their eyes, something resembling that of the owL 

 The Hen Harrier is a native of England, and lives principally 

 about forests and heaths. Its length is about seventeen inches ; 



c * 



the first primary feather is very short, the third or fourth is 

 the longest. 



W I, S. 



A large round head, with enormous eyes looking forward, 

 is a distinguishing mark of the OWL family. Many species 

 possess two feathery tufts placed on the head, greatly re- 

 cembling horns. The Owls are nocturnal birds, pursuing 

 their prey by night, and sleeping during the day. In order 

 to enable them to see their prey, their eyes are enormously 

 large, and capable of taking in every ray of light. Their 

 power of vision is also increased by the method in which the 

 eye is fixed in a kind of bony socket, just like the watch- 

 maker's glass. The nictitating membrane is very conspicuous 

 in these birds. The power of hearing is also very delicate, 

 and greatly assists them. In order to protect them from the 

 c eld, they are furnished with a dense covering of downy 



