HARRIER 409 
to the particular species which is the Falco cyaneus of Linneeus and 
the Circus cyaneus of modern ornithologists. 
On the wing Harriers have much resemblance to Buzzards, using 
the same flapping stroke of the pinions, and wheeling or sailing 
aloft as they fly. One European species indeed, C. xruginosus, 
though called in books the Marsh-Harrier, is far more commonly 
known in England and Ireland as the Moor-Buzzard. But 
Harriers are not, like Buzzards, arboreal in their habits, and always 
affect open country, generally, though not invariably, preferring 
marshy or fenny districts, for snakes and frogs form a great part of 
their ordinary food. On the ground their carriage is utterly unlike 
that of a Buzzard, and their long wings and legs render it easy to 
Hen-Harrier (Male and Female). 
distinguish the two groups when taken in the hand. All the 
species also have a more or less well-developed ruff or frill of small 
thick-set feathers surrounding the lower part of the head, nearly like 
that seen in OWLS, and accordingly many systematists consider that 
the genus Circus, though undoubtedly belonging to the Falconidz, 
connects that Family with the Striges. No osteological affinity, 
however, can be established between the Harriers and any section 
of the Owls, and the superficial resemblance will have to be 
explained in some other way. MHarriers are found almost all over 
the world,! and fifteen species are recognized by Dr. Sharpe (Cat. 
BL. Br. Mus. 1. pp. 50-73). In most if not all the Harriers the sexes 
1 The distribution of the various species is remarkable, while the range of 
some is exceedingly wide, that of others is very limited—C. maillardi, for 
instance, seems to be confined to the island of Réunion (Bourbon). 
