MARSH AND MONTAGU'S HARRIERS 57 



even this species is rare. It has, like its relatives, been ruth- 

 lessly persecuted by gamekeepers. The Harriers possess a 

 habit of beating to and fro after their prey. They do not hover 

 like the better-known Hawks, quartering the ground and 

 dashing down on their prey unawares. Their powers upon the 

 wing are very remarkable. 

 Plumage. — The adult male is bluish-grey above, white underneath; 

 black beak; reddish-brown irides; yellow legs and feet; black 

 claws. The female has reddish-brown above; pale reddish- 

 yellow underneath, with longitudinal streaks and spots of 

 deep orange-brown. Length. — Male, eighteen inches; female, 

 two inches longer. 



HARRIER, MARSH [Circus ceruginosus) 



Local Names. — Bald Buzzard, Duck Hawk, Dunpickle, Harpy, 

 March Harrier, Marsh Hawk, Moor Buzzard, Puttock, White- 

 Headed Harpy. 



Haunt. — Marshes, swamps, and the like. 



Nesting Period. — May. 



Site of Nest. — On the ground among reeds, fern, or furze. 



Materials Used. — Sedge, reeds, and sticks. A large nest. 



Eggs. — Three to Six. White, milky-white, or bluish-green, some- 

 times lightly marked with light brown. Round and rough. 



Food. — Mice, voles, birds, and, it is said, fish. 



Voice. — Male cries "koi" or "kai;" female, "pitz" and "peep." 



Chief Features. — Almost extinct as a British breeding bird, being 

 restricted at the present time to one or two English counties. 



Plumage. — The adult has a creamy-white head and nape, with 

 streaks of dark brown; reddish-brown is the remaining colour 

 above, with paler margins to the feathers; black primaries; 

 ash-grey secondaries and tail; chestnut-brown underneath. 

 Length. — About twenty-two inches. The female closely re- 

 sembles her mate, but is a little larger. 



HARRIER, MONTAGU'S (Circus cineraceus) 



Local Names. — Ash-Coloured Falcon, Blue Jacker. 



Haunt. — Heaths, commons, and marshes. 



Nesting Period. — May. 



Site of Nest. — On the ground among heath or furze, also among 



clover and corn. 

 Materials Used. — Rushes, dry grass, and a few twigs. 

 Eggs. — Four or Five. Almost similar to those of the Marsh Harrier. 

 Food. — Moles, frogs, the eggs and young of small birds, insects, etc. 



