BIRDS OF THE COMMONS 65 



MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus cineraceus). 



April to September. The commonest of the Harriers, 

 but nevertheless rare. Found in suitable localities in 

 the south, south-western counties, and in East Anglia. 



Haunts. Open country. Plains and marsh-lands. 



Observation. Of slimmer build, comparatively longer 

 wings, and darker mantle than Hen Harrier. Also 

 note black bands on secondaries, and chestnut markings 

 on under parts. 



Plumage. Upper parts bluish grey. Primaries black. 

 Secondaries have three dusky transverse bars. Side 

 tail-feathers barred with reddish orange. Throat and 

 breast ash-grey ; under parts greyish white striped with 

 reddish orange. Bill dark horn-colour. Cere and legs 

 yellow. Length 17 in. Female : upper parts generally 

 of a warm brown tint ; under parts pale reddish-yellow, 

 longitudinally streaked with rusty brown. Length 

 1 9 in. Young, chocolate-brown above, and nearly 

 chestnut-brown on the under parts. 



Language. A harsh shriek, somewhat like the Kitti- 

 wake's cry. 



Habits. Very similar to the other Harriers. 

 Food. Small mammals, birds and reptiles ; also 

 eggs and insects. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On the ground, under some bush, or amongst 

 heather. 



Materials. Sticks, grass, and stalks, lined with fine 

 grass. 



Eggs. Four to six. White suffused with blue, 

 occasionally marked with rusty brown. 



