118 



Order IV 



on the Norfolk Broads. It was always rare in Scotland, 

 but is sufficiently plentiful in the area lying between 

 south Sweden, west Siberia, Kashmir, Egypt and 

 Morocco. Even twenty years ago a pair might gener- 

 ally be seen circling high in the air over the larger 

 waters of the Broadland, regularly quartering the 



Marsh Harrier 



marshes for prey, or swooping boldly down to their 

 nest among the sedges and reeds. The four or five 

 bluish white eggs are deposited on a large and rather 

 flat mass of reeds or marsh herbage. The food consists 

 of small mammals and birds, frogs and reptiles, with 

 birds' eggs to vary the diet ; the cry is shrill, but little 

 heard. In colour this species is of a rich brown, with 

 cream-coloured head and lighter under parts both 



