CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 55 



HEN HARRIEE. 



Case 62. 



This bird (which is considered to be a connecting link 

 between the Hawks and Owls) is common on the flat 

 moors in the centre and east of Sutherland, and also 

 over the greater part of Caithness. 



It may, in like manner, be met with scattered over 

 the country wherever there are large open heaths or 

 furze-covered downs. 



On two or three occasions I have found its nest in 

 the rushy marshes in the neighbourhood of the broads 

 in the east of Norfolk. 



Immature birds, the same as with other species, 

 seem to wander more readily from their usual haunts, 

 and are not unfrequently obtained in Sussex and the 

 adjoining counties. 



It is said to be very destructive to game, but my 

 own observations would lead me to believe that it 

 preys more on small vermin and birds of about the 

 size of the Titlark than on anything larger. 



In the summer of 1869, while walking over a moor 

 in the east of Sutherland, I disturbed a Kingtail (the 

 female of the Hen Harrier is known by this name) 

 from her nest, which contained one young one just out 

 of the shell, and five eggs on the point of hatching. 

 As both the old birds were flying round in a state of 

 great consternation, I sat down to watch their actions 

 for a few minutes. 



On rising to leave the spot I discovered I had laid 

 my gun on the back of an old Grey Hen, who now got 

 up from her nest, in which were three fresh-laid eggs, 

 evidently showing that she herself had chosen this 



