sticks, and such like materials. In the Fen countries (its 

 common resort), the nest is composed of so large a quantity of 

 flags, reeds, and sedges, as to raise it a foot or a foot and a 

 half above the ground. The eggs are usually four, sometimes, 

 though not often, five : the time of incubation early in May. 

 —Plate LXXXII., Fig. 1. 



CIRCUS CINERACEUS. (montague.) 

 AsH-coLOURED Harrier, Ash-coloured Falcon. 



For authentic and, therefore, valuable specimens of the eggs 

 of the Ash-coloured Harrier, I am again under obligation to 

 my kind friend, the Rev. W. D. Fox. These were procured 

 for him by Mr. David Baker,* of Melbourne ; and that there 

 might be no possible doubt of their identity, the old birds 

 were trapped upon the nest. 



The Ash-coloured Harrier breeds in the fens of Cambridge- 

 shire, and, though once more abundant than has been sup- 

 posed, is now becoming rare and exceedingly difficult to 

 procure. The nest, which is placed upon the ground, is more 

 slight than those of the other two Harriers, and is composed, 

 like them, of flags, sedge, and rushes. The eggs are usually 

 four or five in number ; the nest, from which specimens are 

 now in my cabinet, contained six ; the only instance Mr. Baker 

 has ever met with. They are of a clear white, distinctly 

 tinted with light blue, and are never (to the best of my in- 

 formation) spotted. — Fig. 2. The time of incubation like the 

 last. 



* David Baker lives at Melbourne, near Royston ; he is a good bird- 

 stufler, and a most respectable man, and, having an accurate knowledge of 

 the birds of" the Fen countries, the greatest reliance nia\ be placed in him 

 to procure those ot" his own neighbourhood. 



