Montagu's Harrier. 95 



Everley which measured 19 inches in length and 3 feet 6 inches 

 in breadth across the extended wings. 



18. MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus Montagui). 

 So called from the worthy ornithologist whose residence in this 

 county we are proud to boast; who did so much for natural history, 

 and who devoted so much attention to the genus we are now con- 

 sidering. In gratitude for his indefatigable researches, and in 

 compliment to his acute discrimination, which unravelled the con- 

 fusion prevailing among the Harriers, and ranged them under three 

 species, which the diligent investigation of half a century has since 

 proved to be correct, the Ash- coloured Harrier (as he himself 

 named this species, which he first discovered to be distinct from 

 the two others) has been named by all the continental authors 

 4 Circus Montagui ' and ' Le Busard de Montagu,' and by our 

 own 'Montagu's Harrier.' It may be distinguished from its 

 congener, the Hen Harrier, with which it had hitherto been 

 confused, and to which it bears a great resemblance, by its com- 

 parative lightness, though at the same time greater dimensions, 

 both in length and stretch of wing ; by its more distinct ruff of 

 feathers encircling the head, and by its greater elegance and 

 slimness of form. It is also known to the scientific world as 

 C. cineraceus, or ' Ash- coloured Falcon,' being in fact the name 

 which was given it by its discoverer, and in Spain is known as 

 cenigo, meaning ' of the colour of ashes.' In Sweden it is Mindre 

 Karr Hok, or 'Lesser Marsh Hawk.' In all other respects, as 

 regards its habits, haunts, food, etc., it is quite similar to the 

 last-named species; but of late years it has been proved by 

 several naturalists that it occasionally varies its diet with the 

 eggs of small birds, those of the thrush, skylark, and willow 

 wren having been discovered in its stomach. Several instances 

 have reached me of its recent capture in this county ; one (now 

 in the late Mr. Marsh's collection) was killed by Mr. Wightwick's 

 keeper in 1841, at Somerford Common, described as a very 

 wooded district ; another was caught in a gin at Wans, about 

 1855, and (in confirmation of what I have stated above respecting 



