130 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



nest and is fed by the male. The number of eggs is usually five; but four 

 and six are often found. 



The Hen-Harrier is a bolder bird in the pursuit of its food than the other 

 two British Harriers, and undoubtedly often chases its prey on the wing. 

 It catches small birds, mice, frogs, but does not disdain to make a meal 

 off the eggs of its neighbours when it has the opportunity. The graceful- 

 ness of its flight and the ease with which it can skim over the brow of a 

 hill make it a favourite with the ornithologist, in spite of an occasional 

 young grouse that may fall a victim to its prowess. 



The eggs of the Hen-Harrier are bluish white, like those of the other 

 two British Harriers, and are on an average intermediate in size between 

 those of the Marsh and Montagu's Harriers. They vary in length from 

 1'S.to 1*65 inch and in breadth from 1'5 to 1'4 inch. It is unfortunately 

 impossible to distinguish them from exceptionally small eggs of the Marsh- 

 Harrier, or from very large eggs of Montagu's Harrier. 



The adult male Hen-Harrier is a very beautiful bird, of a delicate pale 

 slate-grey colour, with black primaries and with the upper tail-coverts and 

 the whole of the underparts below the centre of the breast pure white. 

 Cere, irides, and legs yellow ; bill bluish black, claws black. The female, 

 which is a slightly larger bird, has the general colour brown, paler below, 

 and streaked with reddish brown ; the upper tail-coverts are white, faintly 

 marked with rufous ; tail dark brown, broadly barred with huffish brown, 

 and tipped with pale buff. 



HEN-HARRIER S NEST. 



