1 i: 



Bnlisli Birds. 



THE EGYPTIAN 



SCAVENGER 

 VULTURE. 



[Neoptiron 

 percnopterns.) 



a large nest of sticks, placed on a ledge of rock or in a ca\e, generally in an almost 

 inaccessible position. A single egg is laid, never more than two, dull white, with 

 occasionally some famt rufous markings, which are seldom very distinct. 



Two specimens of this Vulture have been killed in Britain, 

 one in Somersetshire and one in Esse.\. It is an inhabitant of 

 the Mediterranean countries, and extends as far as Central Asia in 

 summer, while Africa forms its winter resort. The young birds are 

 brown, with the bare face grey instead of yellow. As in other 

 Vultures the food consists of carrion, and the nest is placed on the 

 ledge of a rock : it is compiled of all sorts of rubbish and decaying filth, while the 

 species is, according to Colonel Irby, ' probably the foulest feeding bird that lives.' 

 The eggs are very handsomely coloured, being riclily marked with red, on a white 

 ground. They measure about two-and-a-half or two-and-three-quarter inches in length. 

 The Accipitrhui Hawks comprise the Harriers and Sparrow Hawks, in both 

 of which the tibia and tarsus are about equal in length. In the Hawks the tarsus 

 is transversely scaled behind, in the Harriers it is reticulate : and the latter birds are 

 further distinguished by having a rufl" of feathers surrounding the face, much the 

 same as in the Owls : this has resulted in their being associated with the latter 

 birds in former arrangements of the Accipitiiforiiies. 



THE 



HEN-HARRIER. 

 (Circus cyanens.) 



The male of 

 this Harrier may 

 be recognised by 

 its b 1 u e - g r e 3' 

 colour and pure 

 white upper tail- 

 coverts, as well 

 as by the uniform 

 white thighs and 

 blue-gre}' throat 

 and chest. The 

 absence of rufous 

 streaks on the 

 breast and under 

 surface of the 

 bodv separates it 



from Montagus Harrier, as does also its larger size. The hen birds and young of 

 the two species are not so easily distinguished, but the female Hen Harrier always 



The Hen-Harriek. Montagu's Hakkiek. The Maksh-Harrier. 



