142 THE ASH-COLOURED HARRIER. 



haunts and commit great havoc among the young game. At 

 night they roost among whins or long heath, as they used to do 

 on Tentsmuir and Priormuir, and always in some open spot of 

 ground. Their general roosting-places are easily found in the 

 daytime, and the birds may be caught by a trap or shot in the 

 moonlight — at least Sir William Jardine says he has got them 

 both ways, and has seen as many as seven going to roost at one 

 time. 



The Ash-Coloured or Montagu's Harrier. 



(Circus Cineraceus.) Shaw. 



" I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow 

 Than a man swear he loves me." 



— " Beatrice," in Much Ado about Nothing. 



As a proof of the difference between the male and female of 

 the last species and its many synonyms, this bird was confounded 

 with it, and always considered the same species, till Montagu 

 detected the difference, and established it as a different species — 

 hence its name, " Montagu's harrier." It is less than the last, 

 and its wings, when closed, reach half an inch beyond the tail. 

 Both male and female closely resemble the markings of the hen 

 harriers. The plumage is also very soft and blended, and the 

 facial ruff, though less than the common harrier, is formed the 

 same. It also breeds in May, and makes its nest on the ground, 

 more slightly formed than those of the other two species, and 

 composed of sedge and rushes — the eggs usually four or five 

 (one was found with six). They are clear white, tinged with 

 light blue, never spotted, and less than the hen harrier's — If 

 inches against If inches. It neither breeds near St Andrews 

 nor has been seen in the district to my knowledge. 



SUB-FAMILY V. MILVINA. 



Genus, Milvus. 



Kite, Generic CJiaracters. 



After the harriers, I will class the common or red kite — the 

 only one of the genus found in Britain. The generic characters 

 are — bill rather strong, more like the true falcon's ; mouth 



