MARSH HARRIER HEN HARRIER. 67 



Language. A harsh " krau-krau," several times repeated ; 

 also a loud " rick-rick-rick." 



Habits. Diurnal. Bold and ferocious. Flight powerful. 

 It pursues and seizes its prey much like a Falcon. 



Food. Various mammals up to the size of a hare, and 

 birds up to the size of a grouse : also fish. 



Nidification. Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



ORDER ACCIPITRES. 



Family FALCONIDJE. 



Genus CIRCUS. 

 MARSH HARRIER (Circus aruginosus) . 



Formerly an abundant resident, but now very rare and local. 

 It still breeds very sparingly in Norfolk and some of the 

 southern counties. 



Haunts. Moors and marshy places. 



Plumage. Head creamy-white, streaked with umber-brown. 

 Back brown. Primaries black, otherwise wings and tail grey ; 

 under parts buff, streaked with brown. Bill horn-colour. Cere 

 and legs yellow. Length 21 in. Female larger, and tail and 

 under parts brown. Young, dark chocolate-brown ; the male 

 having crown of head buffish white, and the females yellowish 

 nape streaked with brown. 



Language. Rather like the Kittiwake's cry. 



Habits. It flies low over the ground, swooping down on its 

 prey. It is also said to catch surface-swimming fish. 



Food. Small mammals and birds. Fond of eggs, and 

 consequently always shot when possible. It preys to a large 

 extent on young water-fowl of all kinds. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. On the ground, in a swamp amongst reeds. 



Materials. Dry grass, reeds, and rushes, lined with finer 

 grass. A large and loose structure. 



Eggs. Three to five. Bluish white; sometimes, but un- 

 usually, spotted with brown. 



HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus). 



Resident. Nowadays extremely local and rare. 

 Haunts. Moorland country. 



Plumage. Upper parts, throat, and breast bluish grey. 

 Rump white. Primaries black. Under parts white. Bill dark 



