NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 193 



No. ISO. GUILLEMOT. (Uria troile.) 



The Murre or Marrot, as it is often called, is found throughout the 

 year in the open seas surrounding the British Islands. Towards the end 

 of March vast numbers make for land, and assemble in immense colonies 

 at their accustomed nesting-places on island-cliffs or precipices. A single 

 large pear-shaped egg, which varies greatly in colour and markings, is 

 laid in May or June on an open ledge of the rock or on the flat top of 

 some "stack." The female usually sits facing the cliff, holding the 

 egg between her legs with the point outwards. 



The Guillemot feeds on fish and is an expert diver, using its wings 

 as a means of propulsion under water. 



Presented by Edward Bidwell, Esq. 



No. 151. MONTAGU'S HARRIER. (Circus pygargus.) 



Though a common summer visitor to Europe, this Harrier is now 

 scarce in the British Islands. Every year a few pairs arrive in April 

 and attempt to nest in the eastern and southern counties of England and 

 occasionally in Wales, but they are seldom allowed to rear their young 

 in peace. Reptiles, grasshoppers and other insects form the principal 

 food, but small mammals, birds, and the eggs of ground-nesting species 

 are also eaten. The nest, a slight depression in the ground, sparsely 

 lined with dry grass or heather, is usually situated on the open moor or 

 among dead grass and rushes. From four to six bluish-white eggs are 

 laid about the end of May. The male bird exhibited in the Case had 

 not assumed the slate-grey plumage characteristic of the fully adult 

 bird. 



Dorsetshire, May. 



Presented by C. G. Radcliffe, Esq. 



No. 152. HEN-HARRIER. (Circus cyaneus.) 



This species was formerly a regular summer visitor to the British 

 Islands and nested on the higher ground in many \ arts of England and 

 Wales, but is now almost extirpated as a breeding- species. Even on the 

 undisturbed moors of Scotland and Ireland its numbers have greatly 

 decreased during recent years. Like other Harriers, it feeds on small 

 mammals, birds and reptiles, and places its nest, made of small sticks, 

 roots, and coarse grass, on the ground. In the present instance the 



