FALCONS. 



The Hen-Harrier {Circus'* cyaneus), a British bird usually met with in 

 flat marshy districts, or on low moors and commons, where it finds abundance 

 of small quadrupeds, such as young rabbits, leverets, rats, and mice, as well 

 as snakes, frogs, and unfledged birds. Upon these it pounces suddenly when 

 it finds them among the herbage. It docs not hesitate upon occasions to attack 

 a grouse or a partridge, and has even been known to seize upon a pheasant. 

 Indeed, we rather suspect that its name of "hen-harrier" would indicate its 

 propensity for plundering — that is, "harrying" — the poultry-yard when an 

 opportunity presents itself. 



The flight of the hen-harrier while in c^uest of its prey is altogether peculiar. 

 It is light and buoyant, but performed at no great elevation from the ground, 



Fig. 21.— The Hf.n-H.\rkier (Circ:ts cyaneus). 



which it quarters with the utmost regularity, traversing a certain extent of 

 country, and returning nearly to the same place at a given time for many days 

 together. While thus skimming along with noiseless wings, it strongly reminds 

 us of the owls, and, like them, it pounces down upon its prey with unerring 

 precision. 



The hen-harrier makes its nest upon the ground in wild and solitary situa- 

 tions among the tufted herbage most prevalent upon the spot selected, and 

 here it incubates and rears its young. The eggs very much resemble those of 

 an owl, but are larger. They are of a dull, dirty white colour, without any 

 spots. 



* KlpKos, kirkos, a kind of hawk, which flies in circles. 



