In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 117 
as appearing to be an unusually light-coloured Woodpigeon, but a 
second glance soon undeceived us. 
Circus Montagui, ‘‘Montagu’s Harrier,’ This third species of 
Harrier would seem to be far the commonest of the three, in the 
neighbourhood of Christchurch, and doubtless is frequently mistaken, 
notwithstanding its slighter build, for the former one. I am not 
aware that I have ever seen it in this district, but I do not 
feel at all certain on the point; and a fine female was killed by the 
head keeper at Clarendon, close to this city, in 1873. This specimen 
he has preserved in his own cottage, together with a Buzzard, 
Peregrine Falcon, and Sparrow Hawk, in one case, all killed in the 
neighbourhood about the same time. On referring to Mr. Hart, I 
get some very full information concerning the prevalence of this 
species near Christchurch. Since 1869 he has had no less than 
seventeen specimens brought in to him, viz. : two specimens in 1869, 
seven in 1870, four in 1874, one in 1875, three in 1876; while one 
of the Forest keepers has killed no less than five specimens of the 
species during the past summer. This proves that this species is 
far commoner in that immediate district than its congener—the 
Hen Harrier ; for the district around is especially suited to its habits, 
consisting (as it does), of a very large expanse of open broken 
ground, covered with heather and gorse, intermingled with 
marsh, 
When in the neighbourhood of Taunton, I remember a very 
practical illustration, in connection with the species, of the old 
proverb, that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” A 
friend of mine about the year 1860, wounded a fine adult male of 
this species, on Cothelston Hill, part of the Quantock range. When 
captured it proved to be so slightly wounded, that my friend de- 
termined, if possible, to keep it alive; and with this intention, 
while at lunch, secured it with great care by a strong piece of 
string attached to its leg, which he made fast to a sapling 
hard by. He then went into the house to enjoy his luncheon 
with double “gusto,” at the idea of having captured, to him, 
so valuable a prize, as it was a specimen he especially wanted 
for his collection, which he had determined to limit, by adding to it 
