114 ACCIPITRES. 



and carry off the chickens. The nest is on the ground, 

 generally at the base of a furze bush, and it is rude, formed 

 of a few sticks ; the eggs are without markings, often four in 

 number, but seldom six. 



THE ASH-COLOURED HARRIER (Falco cineraceus). 



The ash-coloured harrier has been observed only on the 

 edges of the dry bleak moors in the southern counties of 

 England. It is of the same length as the hen harrier, but 

 has each wing about two inches longer, and is only about 

 three-fourths of the weight. It is thus a bird capable of 

 very powerful flight, and may be a summer migrant. The 

 male is ash-coloured, with a tinge of brown on the upper 

 part, and white below, with an orange-brown streak on the 

 middle of each feather. Primary quills dull black, secon- 

 daries ash-colour, with obscure dusky bars ; tail ash-colour, 

 with the exception of the two middle feathers, which are 

 brown. The female is deep chocolate colour above, with pale 

 rusty margins to the feathers, and a white spot on the neck j 

 below, it is darker than the male, but the rump and tail 

 coverts are white. Eggs not exceeding four, of a pure white, 

 and deposited in rude nests under bushes. The young are 

 similar in plumage to the female ; but the sexes differ in 

 size. Like the hen harrier, it is subject to varieties of 

 colour. It is said to prey more on small birds, and to be 

 less destructive of game.* Whatever its colour may be, it is 

 easily distinguished from the other harriers by the closed 

 wings extending beyond the point of the tail, while about a 

 third of the tail projects beyond the wings in the hen harrier, 

 and about a fourth in 



* Mr. Selby states that he has taken this species in Northumberland, 

 where it breeds upon the moors and open lands. M. 



