THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 1l 
52.—Circus cineraceus, Jont. 
Captain Irby states that Montague’s Harrier is “ found in 
the same localities as the Pallid Harrier, and is perhaps more 
numerous.” If this is so, it is strange that I have no specimens ; 
but I have occasionally seen a Harrier, with a conspicuous 
black wing-patch, that may have belonged to this species.* 
53.—Circus melanoleucus, Forst. 
According to the same authority (Captain Irby) this 
species is “‘ very abundant near the rivers Chowka and Gogra, 
on the plains covered with thick grass about two feet high, 
I have never seen this Harrier far away from grass jungle 
where it appears to replace the preceding species and the Pale 
Harrier, although they are now and then seen there also.” 
In the low grass and tamarisk jungles for miles above and 
below Byramghat, Harriers of various kinds are undoubtedly 
very abundant; but I don’t recollect ever meeting with this 
species, though I include it on Captain Irby’s authority. It 
can scarcely, however, be as plentiful, now-a-days, as his 
remarks would lead one to infer. 
54.—Circus eruginosus, Lin. Native name—Kutar. 
15th November, Male—Length, 20; expanse, 47°7; wing, 
15°5; tail, 9°75; tarsus, 3-3; bill, from gape, 1°45. 
The Marsh Harrier, I am disposed to think, is a permanent 
resident, exceedingly rare in the hot and rainy seasons, it is 
true, but very common in the cold weather, though for one 
adult then met with fully 50 youngsters, in all shades of 
plumage, may be seen. As its trivial name implies, it habitually 
frequents marshes, jhils, river banks, inundated fields, &ec., but 
is sometimes met with in almost all kinds of localities. 
Its food is principally frogs, lizards, rats and any small or 
weakly mammals or birds that it may come across. 
Where Marsh Harriers are so numerous as they are on 
our jhils they are an unmitigated nuisance to the sportsman 
in quest of wild fowl. Often, when Ihave tried to get a 
particular or rare duck, have these villains deprived me of the 
coveted prize by swooping at it or otherwise frightening it 
away. Teal of all kinds particularly dread them, and will 
rise or dive at their approach in abject terror, while they 
drive Coots into fits of frenzy as if in mere wantonness and 
mischief. The dread they inspire arises, I think, from the 
fact that when they capture a dead or wounded bird, as 
* In this species the primaries are black, and there is a rather narrow blackish 
bar on the grey secondaries, but hardly what would be called ‘‘a conspicuous black 
wing-patch,’—Ed. 
