open Nests on the Ground 



The Marsh Harrier, or Blue Hawk as it is sometimes called, 

 is easily recognisable by its white rump, which during flight is 

 very conspicuous. They may be seen in almost any marshy or 

 low scrub land, flying within a few feet of the ground or hover- 

 ing in mid-air watching for their prey. During the mating sea- 

 son the male bird performs the most remarkable evolutions in 

 mid-air, with the evident intention of winning the admiration of 

 his would-be mate. They " frequently begin to incubate with 

 the first egg and the young are hatched at intervals." The nest- 

 ing season begins in Massachusetts early in May. Davie says 

 that fresh eggs may be found from May ist to June 15th or 20th, 

 according to locality. The nests are placed in open marshes or 

 low lands. 



364. American Osprey or Fish Hawlc : Pandion haliaetus 

 carolinensis (Gmel.) 



Eggs very variable in colour. At times white or creamy 

 white, either unmarked, oftener very heavily blotched with 

 browns and chocolate. --• 



See Page 129, Chapter Vlll. 



367. Short-eared Owl : Asio accipitrinus (Pail.) 



Adu/f — Upper parts except tail brownish, the feathers edged with 

 buff; the tail has bands of deep buff and dark brown ; breast 

 light to dark buff with streaks of dark brown, heavily marked 

 on breast and more finely on belly ; the ear-tufts are very 

 short and close together. Length — 15.50. 



Breei/ing /?afjge— Throughout the United States. 



The nest is made of soft grass, sticks, and a few feathers 

 from the parent bird, and is placed on the ground in a depres- 

 sion, beneath a log or in a burrow (Davie). 4 to 7 white eggs 

 are laid. Size — 1.55 x 1.25. 



The Short-eared or Marsh Owl, unlike most other members 

 of its family, lives away from the woods and may generally be 

 found in large swamps or marshes. Formerly it was known to 

 breed in Massachusetts, but Brewster says, "I know of no 

 authentic record of its breeding in any part of New England 



38 



