MARSH HARRIER. HEN HARRIER. 19 



GENUS VIII. CIRCUS (HARRIER). 

 SPECIES 17 THE MARSH HARRIER. 



Circus ceruginosus. Linn. 

 Buzard harpaye ou de Marais. Temm. 

 Moor Buzzard. Kite. Brown Hawk. 

 THE MARSH HARRIER, the most abundant of our larger birds 

 of prey, appears also to be one widely distributed in its oc- 

 currence. An inland species, it is commonly found in the 

 vicinity of whatever marsh or bog is sufficiently large to af- 

 ford it a good hunting-ground. More plentiful in some loca- 

 lities than in others, five and seven birds have been trapped 

 at the same time near the lake of Ballynacargy, and on the 

 estate of Sir W. Levinge in Westmeath. More active in its 

 habits than the buzzard, the moor harrier may be constantly 

 observed upon the wing in those localities where it occurs. 

 Skimming along close to the marsh, it pounces, like the com- 

 mon buzzard, upon whatever small animal or bird is observed 

 moving below. The water rat and aquatic reptiles are seized 

 by this bird also ; and occasionally even the teal and mallard are 

 surprised and struck down, for which reason in some parts 

 of the country they are destroyed by the gamekeepers. 

 Differing from the great number of the raptores we have exa- 

 mined, we find the breeding-place selected by the harriers to 

 be in every instance upon the ground, concealed in a tuft of 

 herbage, or hidden in some reed-bed. 



Although, perhaps, not of great interest, yet we may ob- 

 serve at all times the adaptation of the locality to the habits 

 of the bird. Thus, we find the peregrine nidifying upon the 

 maritime precipices of the coast ; the sparrow-hawk upon 

 the topmost extremity of the tree in woodland situations ; 

 whilst the family of harriers rear their young amidst the 

 marshes, where food is at all times attainable. 



Indigenous. 



SPECIES 18 THE HEN HARRIER. 



Circus cyaneus. Selby. 

 Buzard Saint Martin. Temm. 



White Hawk. Ringtail. Blue Hawk. 

 THIS species appears to be of considerable rarity upon the 

 eastern portion of the island, although it occurs in considera- 

 ble numbers both north and south. Presenting an unusual 

 appearance in the colouring of the sexes, we observe the 

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