MARSH-HARRIER. 127 
hatched they may not fall out of the nest into the water. It is, however, 
extremely probable that this adding to the nest is but a precaution against 
floods, just as is the case with the Swans and the Moorhens. Three pairs 
of Marsh-Harriers used to breed regularly on this lake; but they made 
such havoc amongst the young Moorhens and the young Ducks that 
Nehrkorn was obliged to give over protecting them. Within forty yards 
of the Harrier’s nest, curiously enough, was a Duck’s nest containing five 
eggs. The eggs of the Marsh-Harrier are from three to six in number, 
roundish in form and rough in texture, the short eggs being usually the 
roundest. They are very pale bluish green (sometimes almost white), very 
faintly marked with pale brown, or (most often) spotless, or covered with 
nest-stains like the eggs of Grebes. In size they vary from 2:1 to 1:8 inch 
in length and from 1°6 to 1°45 inch in breadth. The eggs of the Marsh- 
Harrier are very small proportionally for the size of the bird. The 
female bird alone incubates the eggs, according to Dr. Holland; and she 
is fed assiduously by the male. The young birds are fed by both parents ; 
and at this time Dr. Holland informs me that he has known Marsh- 
Harriers, in one day, bring to their nest six Partridges, four hares, and two 
leverets. If continually disturbed, the old birds become very wary, and 
will then drop the food into the nest from the air above. It is also said 
that the old birds teach their young to hunt by dropping food for them to 
catch. According to Naumann the Marsh-Harrier is extremely sensitive 
to cold, and leaves very early in his neighbourhood. 
The male Marsh-Harrier has the head and nape white, tinged with rufous 
and streaked with dark brown; rest of the upper parts dark reddish brown 
with lighter margins; primaries brownish black; secondaries and tail 
ashy grey; lower parts, including the thighs, rich chestnut-brown. Beak 
bluish black ; cere, irides, legs, and toes yellow; claws black. The adult 
female resembles the male, but is slightly larger, and she has, like the 
young birds of both sexes, the irides yellowish hazel. Birds of the year 
are uniform chocolate-brown, each feather tipped with lighter brown, 
except the crown of the head and throat, which are creamy buff. 
