MARSH-HARRIER. 127 



hatched they may not fall out of the nest into the water. It is, however, 

 extremely probable that this adding to the nest is but a precaution against 

 floods, j ust as is the case with the Swans and the Moorhens. Three pairs 

 of Marsh- Harriers used to breed regularly on this lake ; but they made 

 such havoc amongst the young Moorhens and the young Ducks that 

 Xehrkorn was obliged to give over protecting them. Within forty yards 

 of the Harrier's nest, curiously enough, was a Duck's nest containing five 

 eggs. The eggs of the Marsh-Harrier are from three to six in number, 

 roundish in form and rough in texture, the short eggs being usually the 

 roundest. They are very pale bluish green (sometimes almost white), very 

 faintly marked with pale brown, or (most often) spotless, or covered with 

 nest-stains like the eggs of Grebes. In size they vary from 2*1 to 1*8 inch 

 in length and from 1*6 to 1'45 inch in breadth. The eggs of the Marsh- 

 Harrier are very small proportionally for the size of the bird. The 

 female bird alone incubates the eggs, according to Dr. Holland ; and she 

 is fed assiduously by the male. The young birds are fed by both parents ; 

 and at this time Dr. Holland informs me that he has known Marsh- 

 Harriers, in one day, bring to their nest six Partridges, four hares, and two 

 leverets. If continually disturbed, the old birds become very wary, and 

 will then drop the food into the nest from the air above. It is also said 

 that the old birds teach their young to hunt by dropping food for them to 

 catch. According to Xaumann the Marsh-Harrier is extremely sensitive 

 to cold, and leaves very early in his neighbourhood. 



The male Marsh- Harrier has the head and nape white, tinged with rufous 

 and streaked with dark brown ; rest of the upper parts dark reddish brown 

 with lighter margins; primaries brownish black; secondaries and tail 

 ashy grey ; lower parts, including the thighs, rich chestnut-brown. Beak 

 bluish black ; cere, irides, legs, and toes yellow ; claws black. The adult 

 female resembles the male, but is slightly larger, and she has, like the 

 young birds of both sexes, the irides yellowish hazel. Birds of the year 

 are uniform chocolate-brown, each feather tipped with lighter brown, 

 except the crown of the head and throat, which are creamy buff. 



