92 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



grey ; chin creamy-white, slightly streaked with brown ; greater portion 

 of the under-surface rufescent-buff, broadly striped with dark brown ; flanks 

 and thighs rufous-brown. 



Iris lemon-yellow ; bill brown ; cere yellow ; feet yellow. 



Total length 20 inches, wing 15-.50, culmen 1-.50, tarsus 3-50. 



Adolt female, spring, from North Tunisia. 



Dark chocolate-brown throughout, except for a few buff-coloured feathers 

 on the nape. Soft parts as in the male. 



Total length 23 inches, wing 16-75, culmen 1-60, tarsus STO. 



The Marsh-Harrier is abundant as a regular migrant in all the 

 marshy districts of Tunisia, being specially noticeable during the 

 spring passage. According to Blanc the species occasionally occurs in 

 the Regency in winter, and is said to be met with in some parts of 

 the country all the year round. It is no doubt quite possible that 

 such is the case, but it is a question whether any of the Harriers are 

 strictly resident in North-west Africa, and it seems more probable 

 that the birds found there in winter are not those which have been 

 there during the spring and summer but winter visitors from countries 

 further north. 



In Algeria and Marocco the present species is plentiful on migra- 

 tion, and is to be found wherever there are lakes and marshes. 

 Judging from what Loche writes about this bird, it breeds in suitable 

 localities in the former country, while, according to Favier, it is 

 resident as well as migratory in the vicinity of Tangier. 



Eminently a denizen of the plains and open country, the Marsh- 

 Harrier is never to be met with in mountainous or wooded districts, and 

 even when roosting at night it does not resort to woods, but rests on 

 the ground. It is especially fond of marshes aud swampy plains, and 

 may generally be noticed skimming over such localities within a few- 

 feet of the surface of the ground, beating or quartering it in a leisurely 

 and methodical manner, like a well-trained dog hunting for game. 

 Its flight is slow and measured, occasionally soft and gliding, and 

 from time to time it drops to the ground for a few moments. No 

 spot or corner of the marsh escapes a visit from the bird, and no 

 wounded duck or snipe evades its sharp and watchful eye. Apparently 

 this Harrier rarely, if ever, strikes a bird on the wing, but seizes its 

 quarry on the ground, small mammals, insects and reptiles all falling 

 a prey to its voracious appetite, as well as birds ; even fish in shallow 

 water are sometimes seized by it and the eggs of water-fowl are made 



