MARSH HARRIER. 211 



hundred yards of each other. The nest of this Harrier 

 in our islands is almost invariably made on the ground, 

 but in some countries a low tree is selected. Montagu, 

 from experience in the British Islands, however, records 

 a nest in the fork of a tree. It is usually made amongst 

 reeds or sedge, or under the shelter of a little bush or tuft 

 of herbage. It is a bulky structure composed of reeds, 

 sticks, and twigs, and lined with dry grass and bits of 

 withered aquatic vegetation. In some instances this 

 Harrier probably takes possession of a Coot's nest ; and 

 it is said occasionally to add to the structure during the 

 course of incubation, probably as a protection against 

 sudden floods. The bird is not a very close sitter, 

 usually flying away before the nest is closely approached, 

 and soaring round in circles, joined by its mate, to watch 

 the movements of an intruder. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Marsh Harrier are from three to six in 

 number. They are very pale bluish-green, almost white 

 in some cases, very rarely marked sparingly with a few 

 rusty spots. Average measurement, 2'0 inches in length, 

 by I •5 inch in breadth. They are rotund in shape, and 

 rather rough in texture. Incubation, performed by the 

 female, lasts from twenty-one to twenty-four days, 

 according to Tiedemann. 



Diagnostic characters : The large size almost 

 invariably distinguishes the eggs of the Marsh Harrier 

 from those of allied species breeding in our islands. 

 If the measurements of doubtful eggs overlap, it will 

 invariably be found that those of the present bird are 

 more bulky. 



Nearly ninety years ago the Goshawk (Asiur palmn- 

 bariiis) was reputed to breed in the valley of the Spey, 

 but the evidence appears to me to be utterly untrust- 



