THE ASH-COLOURED FALCOK 



93 



about two feet in length, and the male al>out three inches shorter. It is not a very 

 uncommon bird, being found most extensively upon marshy ground, where it can obtain 

 abundance of food. It generally preys on water birds, mice, water rats, various reptiles, 

 frogs, rats, and fish. It is rather partial to yoimg game, and is apt to be a dangei-ous 

 neighbour to a preserve, snatching the young partridges and pheasants from their parents. 

 Sometimes it is sufficiently bold to enter the precincts of the farm, and to carry away a yoimg 

 chicken or a duckUng. Eabbits also, both young and old, fall victims to this rapacious 

 bird, which sweeps on noiseless 

 wing over the common, carefully 

 choosing the morning and evening, 

 when the rabbits are almost sure _ 



to be out of their burrows. 



The Marsh Harrier appears 

 never to take iip its residence in 

 dry localities, but always to prefer 

 the fenny district, whether of the 

 coast or inland. The bird may be 

 found plentifully in Cambridge- 

 shire, as well as in Scotland, Ire- 

 land, and parts of Wale.s. The 

 nest of this species is placed on 

 the ground, and is composed of 

 twigs or stems of coarse gi'ass, 

 and is sheltered from observation 

 by an overhanging bush, or by 

 a tuft of rushes, fern, or long 

 grass. The eggs are white, and 

 aljout three or four in number. 



Like the hen harrier, the male 

 Marsh Harrier is of a much gi'cyer 

 tint than his mate, the gi'ey hues 

 being not fully assumed vintil the 

 bird has completed his third year, 

 and spreading more widely on 

 each successive year. 



The Ash-coloueed Falcon, 

 sometimes called jMontagxje's 

 Harrier, is also a British resi- 

 dent, although it is frec^uently 

 found in Nepal and other parts 

 of Asia. 



This species is more slender 

 in its form than either of the two 

 preceding birds, being hardly more 

 than two-tliirds of the weight of 

 the lien harrier, although its length 

 is nearly the same. In its habits 



it is very like the hen harrier, skimming over the ground in much the same manner, 

 but with a more rapid flight. Its food consists chiefly of small birds and reptiles, to 

 the latter of which creatures the Ash-coloured Falcon appears to be especially partial, no 

 less than five lizards having been found in the stomach of one of these birds. It is not 

 very uncommon in England, being found most plentifully in Cambridge, Lincoln, and 

 other fenny districts, and being also met with in Devonshire and Cornwall. Specimens 

 of tliis bird have also been obtained in Nepal and other parts of India, and it is also 

 said to be an inhabitant of Southern Africa.' 



.TARDTNES HARRIER. -^CfrriK Jnrd!nii.—(See p. 94.) 



