CIRCUS. HARRIER, 



365 



owls, and in them its colours farther indicate an affinity, which 

 is more decidedly shewn by the structure of the ear, and the 

 ruff of oblong feathers. It seems somewhat strange, however, 

 that the digestive organs make no approximation to those of 

 owls ; for while in the latter the oesojjhagus is of uniform 

 width throughout, and the coeca are large and oblong, these 

 parts are in the Harriers much the same as in Buzzards. 



The Harriers, when searching for food, fly low, with a gliding 

 and gentle motion, often in circles, pounce upon small quadru- 

 peds, birds, and reptiles, or sometimes pursue birds in open 

 flight, and feed occasionally on insects and fishes. They nestle 

 on the ground, laying three or four eggs, migrate from the 

 colder districts at the approach of the cold season, and as a 

 genus are very extensively distributed on both continents. 

 Three species are found in Britain : the Ring-tailed, Mon- 

 tagu's, and Moor or Marsh Harriers. 



The accompanying figure represents the head of a female of 

 the common or Ring-tailed species. 



