THE HEN HAKEIEE. 



41 



in colour, cue having the upper parts grey, the lower 

 white ; and the other the upper parts reddish brown, and 

 various parts of the plumage of a light colour, barred and 

 streaked with deep brown. The experienced ornithologist, 

 Montagu, suspecting that they were male and female of the 

 same species, undertook to clear up the matter by rearing 

 a brood taken from the same nest. The result was that 



THE HEN UAKKIEK. 



at first there was no great difference, except in size, all 

 having the dark plumage of the Hen Harrier ; but after 

 the fiust moult, the males assumed the grey and white 

 plumage, while the larger birds, the females, retained the 

 gayer colouring. In habits both birds resemble the Marsh 

 Harrier, but do not confine themselves to damp places. 

 They frequent open plains, hill-sides, and inclosed fields. 



