MONTAGU'S HARRIER. 31 9 



is very similar to that of the common harrier, from 

 which however it may be distinguished by its smaller 

 size, its longer wings, the difference in the relative 

 length of the third quill, the whitish colour which pre- 

 dominates around the eye, and the numerous longitu- 

 dinal spots of bright red on the lower parts. 



Habits. — This species is of very rare occurrence in 

 England, and, in so far as I know, has not been ob- 

 served in Scotland. I have never seen it alive, and, 

 therefore, am unable to afford any information respect- 

 ing its habits, which are described by authors to be si- 

 milar to those of the common harrier. 



Propagation. — It is said to nestle on the ground, 

 and to have four or five bluish- white eggs, smaller than 

 those of the common harrier. 



Young. — The young, after their first moult, are si- 

 milar to the female, differing however in having the 

 lower parts of a uniform light red. Montagu describes 

 a young male as follows : " The bill dusky ; cere yel- 

 low ; irides so pale a yellow as to appear nearly white- 

 The whole upper part of the head ferruginous, with 

 small dusky spots ; on the hind head and nape, a bro- 

 ken patch of white ; immediately above and beneath 

 the eye is a pale streak ; the coverts of the ears, ex- 

 tending down to the lower mandible, are dark choco- 

 late brown ; the feathers on the whole upper parts of 

 the body, including the scapulars, are dark chocolate 

 brown ; the quills the same ; the first three or four 

 pale ferruginous about the middle of the inner web ; 



