ASH-COLOUJIED HAKR1EB. 23 



the different names applied to the same species of Hawk, are, in 



several cases, partly attributable to the differences in size, and 

 especially in plumage, dependant on sex and age in the cases in 

 question. This is quite the case with the Harriers generally, 

 and particularly with the bird now under notice. There is a 

 remarkable difference in colour between the male and female 

 when adult, and a likeness when the former is immature and the 

 latter an old bird. Thus, the old male is mainly blue, the 

 female brown ; so he is called the Blue Hawk often, or Dove 

 Hawk, and she the Ringtail. Like those of the Marsh Harrier, 

 the eggs of the Hen Harrier are white, and are placed in a nest 

 of small sticks and long, coarse grasses built upon the ground, 

 four er five in number, and not often varying from the uniform 

 tint of the ground-colour by the addition of a few reddish- 

 coloured spots or speckles. Its distinctive English name 

 ##-Harrier, seems to be due to the fact, that, like the sick and 

 repentant old Fox., it appears often to consider " a chicken might 

 suit me too," and acts accordingly. But, from its habits of 

 regularly working over stubbles and other haunts of the 

 Partridge and other like birds, there is little doubt that it 

 varies its diet with a little game occasionally. 



23. ASH-COLOURED HARRIER (Circus cineraceus). 



This bird, for which Yarrell proposed the name Moutagn's 

 Harrier, is by no means of frequent occurrence in this conntry, 

 and is scarcely likely to be met with by many of our young 

 readers. The nest, like those of the other two species of Circus 

 just named, is usually on the ground, often not far from gorse or 

 whin-bushes ; and the eggs, four or five in number, are like 

 those of its congeners in general colour and appearance. With 

 this bird our list of Falconidse closes. 



FAMILY II. STEIQIDJ2. 



When I was a boy I remember only those goings-back to 

 school were a sad hindrance trying or helping to make a collec- 

 tion, not of Birds 3 eggs exactly, but of Bird's ' merry-thoughts, 3 

 Did our young readers ever see such a collection, or think of 

 it ? Perhaps the answer will be " No ; and if we had, what 

 would it have to do with a book about Birds' eggs ? " 1 will try 

 and show that I have a purpose in mentioning Birds' merry 

 thoughts, and thac it may have something to do witk such a 

 book as this, and its subject. 



We have already agreed that classification is a useful and 

 necessary thing ; that nature herself leads us to it, and shows us 

 how to fashion and contrive it ; nay, that the very eggs of bird 



