THE MARSH HARRTEK. 



The harriers are birds of considerable size, power, and extent of wing, very indefati- 

 gable in hunting, and highly destructive of the feathered tribes. They have not the 

 grandeui' of the falcons, nor all the vigour of the hawks, nor are they so powerfully 

 armed as either of these birds. Their beaks and feet are more feeble, and their claws 

 smaller. They fly very low and strike their prey on the gi-ound, that prey consisting 

 more of young bu-ds and of females when they are sitting than that of the hawks, as the 

 prey of the hawks consist of less powerfully winged birds than that of the falcons. 



It is from this habit that the name of " harrier," synonymous with that of plunderer, 

 is derived ; sometimes they are called " harpies ; " and as they often beat the bushes so 

 low that their feet touch, it is possible that they may have given rise to some of the 

 fabulous accounts of griffins, one of the characters of wMch was supposed to be a com- 

 bination of the functions of flying and walking. The harriers, it is true, do not combine 

 these ; but they fly so near the groimd, and have their feet so ready for assisting in the 

 capture of any prey they may spy, that they often appear as if the feet were concerned 

 in assisting their motion. 



The largest British bird of the genus is the marsh harrier. It is found not only in 

 England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Hebrides, but in many parts also of northern 

 and southern Europe. It has also been observed in Smyrna, Trebizond, Egypt, and Trip- 

 oh ; and our eminent naturalist, Mr. Gould, has received specimens of it from the Himar 

 laya Mountains. It varies in length from twenty-one to twenty-three inches. 



The changes which this bird undergoes in its plumage, according to age, has led to 

 many mistakes, each stage having suggested the idea of a distinct species. Recent 

 observations have counteracted these errors, clearly distinguisliing between this and other 

 birds ; and also precisely defining the varied peculiarities of its growth. When fully 

 adult, its head, neck, and breast are of a pale duU yellowish hue, each feather having 

 a central streak of brown ; the upper surface is bromi, tlie quill feathers being wliite at 

 their origin and black throughout the remainder of their length ; the secondaries and 

 tail feathers of an ashy gray, the under parts rufous, marked with yellowish dashes, the 

 beak black, the cere greenish, and the tarsi yellow. The general plumage during tlic 

 first year is of a deep chocolate, the feathers of the wing-coverts, quills, and tail being 

 tipped with light brown ; and the top of the throat of a yellowish brown. The transition 

 is then gradual from this stage to the maturity of the bird. 



Heaths and wild marshy lands are the favourite haunts -of the marsh harrier. It is 

 accustomed to skim the ground, and then drop suddenly on its prey. Moles, mice, 

 young rabbits, and other small quadrupeds, together with frogs and other reptiles, become, 

 in consequence, the easy spoil of this marauder of silent wing. 



• Cirpus Ruf'iis. — Splbv. 



