BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 181 



The nest figured in our illustration was 

 situated not very far from the unfortunate 

 Marsh Harrier's attempt at housekeeping mentioned 

 in the article dealing with that species, but 

 was not built in such deep sedge grass. It was 

 placed flat upon the wet marsh ground, and had 

 a sort of little courtyard in front of it, where all 

 the vegetation had been cleared away or beaten 

 down. The diameter of the actual structure was 

 about eight and a half inches, and its materials 

 consisted of rushes, sedge, ragwort stems, and a few 

 bits of dead grass. The Rev. M. C. H. Bird con- 

 sidered it a large nest for two eggs, as the birds 

 add materials, like many other species, as they 

 lay their eggs. 



Materials. Twigs, heather-stalks, straws, and 

 dry grass, sometimes wool, scantily and loosely 

 lining the slight hollow chosen for the reception 

 of the eggs. 



Eggs. Four to six. Very pale bluish-white, 

 said to be sometimes marked with a few spots of 

 pale reddish-brown. Average size about 1.65 by 

 1.4 in. 



Time. May. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and leav- 

 ing in October. Notes : something like those of 

 the Kestrel, but feebler and more querulous, 

 according to Mr. Saunders. This species only en- 

 joys one local or alternative name so far as I can 

 gather, and that is the Ash-coloured Harrier. Sits 

 lightly. The bird's destructive habit of feeding 

 upon eggs supplies it with an uncompromising 

 enemy in the gamekeeper. 



