THE ASH-COLOUEED FALCON. 



93 



about two feet in length, and the male about three inches shorter. It is not a very- 

 uncommon bird, being found most extensively upon marshy ground, where it can obtain 

 abundance of food. It generally preys on water birds, mice, water rats, various reptiles, 

 frogs, rats, and fish. It is rather partial to young game, and is apt to be a dangerous 

 neighbom* to a preserve, snatching the young partridges and pheasants from their parents. 

 Sometimes it is sufficiently bold to enter the precincts of the farm, and to carry away a young 

 chicken or a duckling. Babbits also, both young and old, fall victims to this rapacious 

 bird, which sweeps on noiseless 



wing over the common, carefully __. _^^__ 



choosing the morning and evening, ;^^aB»Si. 



when the rabbits are almost sure 

 to be out of their burrows. 



The Marsh Harrier appears 

 never to take up its residence in 

 dry localities, but always to prefer 

 the fenny district, whether of the 

 coast or inland. The bird may be 

 found plentifully in Cambridge- 

 shire, as well as in Scotland, Ire- 

 land, and parts of Wales. The 

 nest of this species is placed on 

 the ground, and is composed of 

 twigs or stems of coarse grass, 

 and is sheltered from observation 

 by an overhanging bush, or by 

 a tuft of rushes, fern, or long 

 grass. The eggs are white, and 

 about three or four in number. 



Like the hen harrier, the male 

 Marsh Harrier is of a much greyer 

 tint than his mate, the grey hues 

 being not fuUy assumed until the 

 bird has completed his third year, 

 and spreading more widely on 

 each successive year. 



The Ash-coloueed Falcon, 

 sometimes caUed Montague's 

 Haeeier, is also a British resi- 

 dent, although it is frequently 

 found in Nepal and other parts 

 of Asia. 



This species is more slender 

 in its form than either of the two 

 preceding birds, being hardly more 

 than two-thirds of the weight of 

 the hen harrier, although its length 

 is nearly the same. In its habits 



it is very like the hen harrier, skimming over the ground in much the same manner, 

 but with a more rapid flight. Its food consists chiefly of small birds and reptiles, to 

 the latter of which creatures the Ash-coloured Falcon appears to be especially partial, no 

 less than five lizards having been found in the stomach of one of these birds. _ It is not 

 very uncommon in England, being found most plentifully in Cambridge, Lincoln, and 

 other fenny districts, and being also met with iu Devonshire and Cornwall. Specimens 

 of this bird have also been obtained in Nepal and other parts of India, and it is also 

 said to be an inhabitant of Southern Africa. 



JARDINES HARRIER.— CtrcMS /ardimii.— {See p. 94.) 



