BIRDS OF THE COMMONS 65 



MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus cineraceus). 



April to September. The commonest of the Harriers, 

 but nevertheless rare. Found in suitable localities in 

 the south, south- western counties, and in East Anglia. 



Haunts. — Open country. Plains and marsh-lands. 



Observation. — Of slimmer build, comparatively longer 

 wings, and darker mantle than Hen Harrier. Also 

 note black bands on secondaries, and chestnut markings 

 on under parts. 



Plumage. — Upper parts bluish grey. Primaries black* 

 Secondaries have three dusky transverse bars. Side 

 tail-feathers barred with reddish orange. Throat and 

 breast ash-grey ; under parts greyish white striped with 

 reddish orange. Bill dark horn-colour. Cere and legs 

 yellow. Length 17 in. Female : upper parts generally 

 of a warm brown tint ; under parts pale reddish-yellow, 

 longitudinally streaked with rusty brown. Length 

 19 in. Young, chocolate-brown above, and nearly 

 chestnut-brown on the under parts. 



Language, — A harsh shriek, somewhat like the Kitti- 

 wake's cry. 



Habits. — Very similar to the other Harriers. 



Food. — Small mammals, birds and reptiles ; also 

 eggs and insects. 



Nest. — May. One brood. 



Site. — On the ground, under some bush, or amongst 

 heather. 



Materials. — Sticks, grass, and stalks, lined with fine 

 grass. 



Eggs. — Four to six. White suffused with blue, 

 occasionally marked with rusty brown. 



