OVER THE BROADS AND SWAMPS. 189 



spot. This nest hardly deserves the name, for it 

 is little more than a hollow trod by the bird, into 

 which a few scraps of dry herbage have been 

 scraped. The six eggs are pure white. When 

 disturbed from her nest the sitting bird flies 

 quickly away, but sometimes returns almost 

 directly, especially if there are young, to watch 

 your movements from the air. Often when the 

 nest contains eggs she remains upon them, 

 shielding them by her own inconspicuous dress, 

 until compelled to rise. We shall meet with the 

 Short-eared Owl again in our rambles by the 

 shore, when one or two other facts in its economy 

 may be noted. 



The MARSH HARRIER (Circus centginosus), is Norfolk, 

 also another bird to be met with on the Broads, cLTrai h 

 and one of the rarest and most local of ourfSK 

 Raptores. The plumage in which it is generally Ireland 

 met with in this country is dark reddish brown, 

 becoming rufous white on the head and nape ; the 

 grayer adult dress is seldom or never seen in 

 British examples. The long wings and tail are 

 another marked characteristic. Here in the 

 marshes the fortunate observer may watch it flying 

 backwards and forwards at no very great height, 

 systematically hunting for food, and dropping 

 down from time to time upon the unsuspecting 

 creatures that form its food. Birds, leverets, 

 young rabbits, frogs, insects and eggs compose 

 the food of the Marsh Harrier. The latter are 

 sought for most diligently, every unprotected nest 

 containing eggs being liable to the unwelcome 

 visits of this rapacious bird every foot of ground 

 being searched with a thoroughness scarcely 

 credible as it beats along in slow and graceful 



