THE HARRIER 165 



intruder. Circling above their foe, they swoop upon him, and 

 the harrier, hard pressed, turns completely over on to his back, 

 stretching out in defence his terrible talons." Mr. T. W. Kirk 

 once saAv a harrier attacked and badly beaten by a flock of 

 sparrows, at a spot between Featherston and Martinborongli. He 

 heard an unusual noise, as if all the small birds in the country 

 had joined together in one great quarrel. Looking up, he saw 

 a harrier, which was being buffeted by sparrows. They were 

 there in hundreds, and they dashed at the harrier in scores, and 

 from all points at once. The unfortunate hawk was quite power- 

 less. He seemed to have no heart left, as he did not attempt to 

 retaliate, and his defence was very feeble. At last, on approaching 

 some scrub, he made a rush indicative of a forlorn hope, gained 

 the shelter, and remained there. The sparrows crowded round the 

 bush. They maintained a constant chattering, as if congratulat- 

 ing themselves on victory, and challenging the enemy to come out 

 and fight. He, however, cowered under cover until the sparrows, 

 tired of waiting, flew away. 



Harriers generally select a breeding-place in a low-lying situa- 

 tion, among swamps. Sometimes, however, nests have been found 

 on a considerable elevation in a deep gully in the hills, where a 

 batch of toi-toi grass and a few flax bushes offer a reasonable 

 shelter for the progeny. When the nest is approached, the 

 harrier does not make a resolute defence, as is done by the 

 courageous bush-hawks ; but, when incubating, it utters a shrill 

 scream of alarm, and darts oft'. 



Family Strigidae. 



Eyes directed forwards and encircled by a facial disc. Nostrils 

 hidden by bristles. Outer toe reversible. Plumage soft. 

 Universally distributed. 



Key to the Genera. 



Tarsus twice the length of the middle toe. Sceloglaux. 



Tarsus not twice the length of the middle toe. Niuox. 



