92 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EJIPIRE. 



face, the throat, and all the lower parts, every feather 

 having a darker edge and centre; at the junction 

 of the neck and breast are two patches of brown 

 feathers with black lines and white edges ; the feet are 

 slate blue, and the under surface of the tail of the same 

 colour, with two bands and tips of brown. In length, the 

 male measures 1 foot 10 or 11 inches ; but the female 

 is considerably larger, measuring as much as 2 feet 3 

 inches in total length. Variations in point of colour and 

 size are frequently met with. 



Hen Harrier. — In this species, the head is bluish 

 grey, and is surrounded by a ring of short, stiff feathers, 

 which are white at the base, and slightly tipped with 

 grey ; the neck is grey, sometimes shaded with brown ; 

 the chin and tliroat bluish grey, with a black edge to 

 each feather ; the under parts are white, with a tinge 

 of f^vey: the back is grey, with or without a tinge of 

 brown : wing coverts grey ; primaries black, or very 

 dark brown ; under surface of wings grey, with many 

 darker round spots; tail bkie grey on outer pair; next 

 pair crossed by narrow brown bands ; remaining tail 

 feathers white, witli similar bars, forming five lines at 

 regular intervals when the tail is spread out ; bill grey ; 

 cere and legs and feet yellow. Length of male, IS inches; 

 of female, 21 or 22 inches. 



This bird is also known by the name of Ringtail. 



Marsh Harrier. — This is a very handsome bird. Head 

 and neck yellowish grey, with numerous narrow dark 

 lines; other upper parts, except wing coverts and tail, 

 which are greyish blue, dark brown, with a shade of 

 red on the shoulder ; face and chin grey ; breast whitish 

 grey, with many long pointed dark lines, which are con- 

 tinued on the remainder of the under plumage which at 

 the be|ly, hocks, and vent has a ruddy tinge; the 



