HEN HARRIER. I ipar/ 
ORDER ACCIPITRES. 
FAMILY FALCONID. 
MARSH HARRIER. 
CIRCUS ZRUGINOSUS (Linnezeus). 
There can be little doubt that in the early part of 
the century the Marsh Harrier used to nest regularly 
on the mosses which then covered thousands of acres 
in the broad valley of the Mersey. Like most of the 
larger birds of prey, it has vanished from our county, 
owing to the increase of cultivation and game-preserva- 
tion, and for the last thirty years, at any rate, it has 
only been known in Cheshire as a casual visitor. 
About the year 1887 or 1888, a Marsh Harrier in 
immature plumage was shot by a gamekeeper on 
Carrington Moss, and was stuffed by Samuel Penney, 
a bricklayer at Ashton-on-Mersey, in whose cottage 
we saw the bird. Dr. Dobie mentions a second 
example, an immature male, which was killed on 
the Eaton Estate several years ago, and is now in the 
possession of Mr. H. Garland. 
HEN HARRIER. 
CIRCUS CYANEUS (Linneus). 
Although no evidence of the fact exists, it is probable 
that the Hen Harrier at one time bred regularly on the 
heather-clad hills of East Cheshire; but, like the pre- 
1 Dobie, op. cit. p. 312. 
