AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



51 



Photo by P. B. Peabody. 



YOUNG MARSH HAWKS. 

 (3 weeks old.) 



breeding season commences soon after the first of May. Complete 

 sets of eggs number from three to six, most often four or five making 

 the number. The eggs are a pale bluish white or greenish white aud 

 are oftenest unspotted although very often sets will be seen that have 

 faint shell marking or spots of pale brownish. 



HABITS. 



This long winged and long legged harrier is one of the most com- 

 mon of the Raptores. The species can always readily be distinguish- 

 ed from any other by the white upper tail coverts which are present in 

 all stages of plumage and by the general coloration. Their flight ex- 

 cept when in the pursuit of prey, is generally quite slow, probably due 

 to the eagerness with which they are watching the ground below for 

 the slightest sign of animal life. Although slow their flight is very 

 graceful and they will sail back and forth over the meadow with their 



