MARSH HARRIER. 91 



The Marsh Harrier, though frequently called a Buz- 

 zard, is, in conjunction with the two British species to be 

 described next in succession, immediately distinguished 

 from the true Buzzards by the more elongated and slender 

 form of their bodies, their lengthened, taper and naked legs, 

 the still greater softness of their plumage, and by the circular 

 disk of short feathers which surrounds the face. In the 

 two points last mentioned, — namely, the loose and floculent 

 character of the feathers, and the circular arrangement of 

 those about the face, — the Harriers exhibit an obvious re- 

 semblance to the Owls, and the affinity on comparing the 

 skeletons of each is most decided. 



One of the remarkable traits in the species of the genus 

 Circus, as established by Bechstein, is, that the males when 

 adult are all more or less ash grey in colour, while the 

 females retain their original tints of red or brown. This at 

 least is the case with all the known species, four of which are 

 European. The Marsh Harrier is the largest British bird 

 of the genus, and appears to require a greater length of 

 time than others of smaller size before the male exliibits any 

 portion of the ash grey plumage ; nor is it known, that I 

 am aware, that this species ever at any age becomes entirely 

 grey, like the other smaller males among the Harriers ; but 

 when the habits and plumage of the Marsh Harrier are duly 

 considered, and compared with those of the two species 

 which follow here in succession, no doubt will remain that 

 the bird now under consideration is a true Harrier, and not 

 a Buzzard. 



The Marsh Harrier, as its name imports, is generally 

 found on low and level lands, or uncultivated heaths and 

 moors ; and of the counties within a day*'s ride of London, 

 examples appear to be most numerous in Cambridgeshire. 

 Their flight, though slow, is smooth, performed with ease, 

 but near the ground ; and from the regular manner in which 



