3o8 HEN-HARRIER. 



numerous in the last-named country. From March or April until 

 autumn it is to be found in suitable localities in Denmark, Holland, 

 Germany, (Sec, down to the Alps and the Carpathians ; in France — 

 where from its abundance on migration in November it is called 

 Busard Sai/it-Martin — comparatively few breed below the central 

 provinces ; and although a limited number are resident in the north 

 of the Spanish Peninsula and in Italy, yet throughout the basin of 

 the Mediterranean it is chiefly known in winter and on passage, when 

 it also visits Morocco, Algeria, and North-Eastern Africa as far south 

 as Abyssinia. Eastward it is found across Asia — down to Canton 

 in winter, and a little above the Arctic circle in summer. Over 

 the northern half of America it is represented by a closely-allied 

 species, C. hudsonius. 



When placed on the bare hill-side the nest is often a slight 

 structure, though, if in deep heather or a dried-up marsh, it is 

 frequently a mass of roots and plant-stems a foot or so high ; in 

 Germany a grain-field is a favourite site : whence the name 

 Korn-tveihe. The eggs, 4-6 in number, are bluish-white, excep- 

 tionally with genuine yellowish-brown or rusty markings : average 

 measurements i*8 by i'4 in. Incubation, which devolves upon 

 the female, seldom commences before the latter part of May, and 

 lasts three weeks. Like other Harriers, this species quarters the 

 ground with great regularity in search- of the small mammals, birds 

 and reptiles, which form its food ; but though destructive to game, 

 there is no evidence that it is an especial scourge of the poultry- 

 yard, as might be inferred from its vernacular name. The flight is 

 particularly buoyant, and generally low ; but, when soaring or 

 hovering, the light-coloured rump is very noticeable. 



The adult male has the upper parts pale slate-grey ; rump white ; 

 throat and breast bluish-grey ; remaining under parts white. In 

 younger males there are five ashy bars on the tail, and brown streaks 

 on the flanks, thighs and nape ; cere, irides and legs yellow. I>ength 

 19 in. The female is brown above, streaked with white on the nape 

 and on the edges of a distinct facial ruff; rump white, marked with 

 rufous ; tail brown, with five darker bars — whence this sex was 

 formerly called the Ring-tail, and was considered a distinct species; 

 under parts buftish-brown, with darker stripes. Length 21 in. The 

 young resemble the female, and, like her, have brown irides, but 

 their plumage is more rufous in tint. 



In these two species — and, I believe, in all except Montagu's and 

 the Pallid Harrier — the outer webs of the primaries to the 5th 

 iiichishe are notched or eraarginate. 



