224 MARSH HARRIER. 



nest is resorted to for several years in succession. 

 It is nearly two feet in diameter, built of twigs, very 

 flat, and lined with leaves. Sometimes it will use the 

 nest of another bird. The eggs are from two to four 

 in number, and are bluish or reddish white in ground 

 colour, blotched and spotted with reddish - brown 

 markings and underlying markings of grey. Some eggs 

 much resemble the Kestrel's eggs in colour, but are 

 of course much larger, being about two or two and a 

 quarter inches in length. 



In plumage the Buzzard varies so much that it is 

 impossible to describe it ; it is said that no two birds 

 are alike ; brown, white and grey, variously disposed, 

 seem to be the prevailing colours, and the tail is 

 marked with several pale bars. It is said that this 

 bird in confinement will become quite companionable 

 and very tame. 



MARSH HARRIER. 



CIRCUS ^RUGINOSUS. 



Family Falconid^. Genus Circus. 



Moor Buzzard — Marsh Hawk — Harpy — Duck Hawk. 



The Marsh Harrier may still be found breeding in 

 a few parts of England, in such places as the Norfolk 

 Broads ; but its great home — the fen districts — is now 

 all drained and cultivated, and the Harriers, in com- 

 mon with several birds of other species, have left their 

 haunts to return no more. In such places as it still 

 remains, however, it is a resident bird ; and it also is 

 found locally in Scotland and Ireland. 



The Harriers are said to derive their name from 



