THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 15 



MARSH-HARRIER. 

 Circus czruginosus (Linn.). 



A Marsh- Harrier was shot and obtained in our 

 woods in June 1867, of a deep chocolate colour, head 

 included, just beginning its moult. 



HEN-HARRIER. 

 Circus cyaneus (Linn.). 



Females are not uncommon in the autumn time of 

 the year frequenting our woods, where they are 

 sometimes met with and shot ; the old grey males 

 are seldom or never seen. 



I once, when driving in the month of August, had 

 the pleasure of seeing a pair, an old grey male and 

 brown female, circling round the centre of a field of 

 barley adjoining our main road. 



ASH-COLOURED OR MONTAGU'S HARRIER. 

 Circus cineraceus (Montagu). 



The Ash-Coloured Harriers, when they arrive, 

 always come to us in the spring of the year, unlike 

 the Hen-Harriers, which always come in the 

 autumn ; they at once take up their quarters in the 

 woods, flying over the fields and low coppices, till 

 they are shot, they seem to vary much in plumage ; 

 the name Ash-Coloured applies to the old male with 



