HONEY BUZZAED. MAESH HAKEIEE. 35 



Mr. Gurney's collection, and an immature male near 

 Wjmondliam, were procured in October about tbe same 

 date. 



1864. An immature male, in dark brown plumage, 

 prettily spotted about the bead and neck with white, 

 each feather being slightly tipped, was killed in Norfolk 

 on the 24th of September, at Gatesend, near Fakenham, 

 and another was seen on several occasions near the same 

 locality. The stomach of this bird contained portions 

 of wasps and honeycomb. 



CIRCUS iERUGINOSUS (Linn^us). 



MARSH HARRIER. 



The habits of the Harriers in this county of late 

 years, have been more influenced by the changes which 

 have taken place in the character of the soil, through 

 extensive drainage, than almost any other group. In 

 the south-western parts of Norfolk, the changes thus 

 effected have resulted in the perfect extermination of 

 our three British species, which formerly bred freely in 

 that portion of the county ; and Mr. Alfred NcAvton, in 

 a communication to Mr. Hewitson on this subject, 

 observes, (Eggs Brit. Bds., 3rd ed.) — " The Moor Buzzard 

 was the first to cease from breeding there, then the Hen 

 Harrier, and lastly the Ash-coloured species." Mr. 

 Newcome, of Eeltwell, also informs me that the marsh 

 harrier was always the most scarce in his neighbour- 

 hood. In the eastern districts however, where the 

 broads stiU retain much of their normal character, 

 these bu'ds have suffered only in degree ; but undoubtedly 

 even here, the formation of railroads through an extensive 

 tract of marshes, together with the facilities thus afforded 

 to a greatly increased number of gunners of visiting the 

 fenny districts, have rendered these birds yearly more and 

 f2 



