The Hen-Harrier^ OF ORKNEY. 37 



Species 6. The Hen-Harrier. 



Wil. Orn. 70. Rail Syn. Av. 17. The Hen-Harrier, the male ; the Ring- 

 tail, the female, Brit. Zool. II. p. 147. Ore. Kattabelly. 



THIS large species is very frequent with us all the year, and 

 approaches nearest the country-houses of any hawk we have, 

 making great destruction among young poultry. Its ordina- 

 ry flight is lower than the generality of our hawks, and its 

 whole appearance liker the owl kind. In winter is almost 

 white, except the tips of the wings ; in summer more ash-co- 

 loured. 



Species 7- The KestriL 



The Kestril, Stannel, Stanegal, Windhover, Wil. Orn. 84. Rail Syn. Av. \Q. 

 Brit. Zool. 149. Ore. Windcuffer. 



THIS species is often observed, as it were, rivetted to one 

 place, always attentive to what passes immediately below it, 

 and by this circumstance has gained the name of windcuffers. 

 I lately observed a couple of these which had nested in the 

 steeple of the church of Stenness, in Orkney, and lived in good 

 neighbourhood with a pair of ravens, which likewise had made 

 this their retreat. It preys upon mice, small birds, and some- 



