240 MARSH HARRIER. 



There is often a considerable variation in the 

 tints of this species, and of the predominance or 

 want of white on the head and throat. In one 

 specimen before me the whole plumage, with the 

 exception of the forehead, hindhead, throat, and 

 sides of the mouth, with the tips of the quills, is 

 very deep umber brown, not distinguished by 

 any lighter shade underneath. The parts ex- 

 cepted are yellowish white. In another specimen 

 the plumage is of a pale reddish umber brown, 

 having the upper tail covert, and base of the 

 outer tail feathers, pale yellowish red ; the former 

 shewing a bar like that seen on the Ringtail. The 

 quills are not tipped with white, and the white of 

 the hindhead is very pure, extended above each 

 eye. In the young birds the colours are gene- 

 rally more uniform, and there is no yellowish 

 white about the head : on what has been con- 

 sidered the adult birds, again, the pale colour 

 sometimes extends over the whole head, purest 

 on the occiput, and there is often a patch of the 

 same colour on the scapulars. The most common 

 state of the bird, however, is that first described, 

 umber brown, with the head and throat white, the 

 centre of the crown more or less spotted with 

 crown. Mr Selby mentions a variety which he 

 Kept in confinement, having the throat, bastard 

 wing, four quill feathers, and outer tail feathers, 

 pure white. The bill is bluish black ; cere, legs, 



