386 



FALCON AND P:AGLE GROUP 



Montagu's 



Harrier ^Circus 



cineraceus). 



A slightly smaller bird than the last, Montagu's 

 harrier (sometimes described under the name of 

 Circus pygiifgits) may be recognised at all ages by 

 the slight notching of the outer web of the fifth 

 primary wing-quill, which in the hen-harrier is entire. The male, 

 which is much the same bluish grey above as the hen-harrier, may be 

 further distinguished by the black bar across the secondary quills and 

 the white feathers of the middle portion of the legs. The female is 

 dark brown above, with the breast more distinctly striped than in the 



MONTAGU'S Il.VKKIKK. 



{/•'ivm a specimen in the liri/ish Mnseinn.) 



corresponding sex of the last species. Young birds are general!}- 

 similar to the adult females, but the colour of their under-parts 

 approaches chestnut. Abnormally dark or even black phases of the 

 species are by no means uncommon. How to distinguish a Montagu's 

 from a hen harrier in the field must be left for others to determine. 



That it is difficult may be inferred from the fact that the present 

 bird was not recognised as a distinct species (at least in this country) 

 till the year 1802, when it was described as such by the celebrated 

 ornithologist from whom it takes its popular designation. It breeds, 

 however, occasionally in the southern and eastern counties of England, 

 the l^ritish Museum possessing eggs from the New Forest, Dorsetshire, 



