EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 87 
THE HEN HARRIER. 
GAME-preserving has proved a disastrous business to this 
bird, and it now only breeds in a few of its old strongholds, 
such as Cornwall, Wales, the Highlands, Orkneys, and 
Hebrides, where I have met with it. Its nest is composed 
of sticks, sprigs of heather, dry grass, and wool, and is 
placed upon the ground in deep heather. The eggs number 
from four to six, of a pale bluish-white colour, rarely 
marked with a few reddish-brown spots. 
THE MARSH HARRIER. 
Sticks, reeds, and sedge are the materials used by this bird 
for building its nest, which is situated on the ground, 
although instances have been reported of it occurring in a 
tree. It is said to still breed in Norfolk and the West of 
England. The eggs number three or four, sometimes as 
many as six, itis said. They are greyish-white, slightly 
tinged with light bluish-green, and occasionally marked 
with rusty brown. 
THE HOBBY. 
Tus bird still breeds in very small numbers in the Mid- 
lands and in the Eastern Counties. It selects the old nest 
of a Crow, Wood Pigeon, or Magpie, and deposits its three 
or four eggs in it without any attempt at nest-building. 
The eggs are yellowish-white in ground colour, but this 
is almost entirely hidden by the thick marking of reddish- 
brown. 
