235 ASH-COLOURED HARRIER. 



reddish on the second, which colour predominates 

 towards the outside, and on the outer pair the 

 bars are nearly pale yellowish orange ; the belly, 

 vent, under tail, and wing coverts are pure white, 

 the grey of the breast being gradually blended into 

 the white of the remaining lower parts ; the 

 feathers on the body and thighs of these parts are 

 boldly marked with reddish brown along the 

 shafts, diverging in the centre as an unfinished 

 bar, while the axillary plumes are crossed with 

 broad bars of the same colour ; these markings 

 vary in distinctness and intensity, and in some 

 specimens contrast beautifully with their pure 

 white ground colour ; the bill is bluish black ; the 

 legs yellow, stronger and scarcely so long as in the 

 Common Harrier ; length is sixteen and a half 

 inches. 



The chief distinctions between this bird and the 

 male Common Harrier are its small size, the much 

 greater length of the wings, which exceed that of 

 the tail, and in the specimen before us, from the 

 shoulder to the extremity of the third quill mea- 

 sures fourteen inches ; and in the lower parts 

 being streaked and barred with reddish brown. 



The description of the female Harrier, were 

 the dimensions and proportions similar, might 

 serve also for this bird. Our specimen is in length 

 about eighteen and a quarter inches ; the wing 

 from the shoulder to the extremity of the third 



