18 A CATAXOGtJE OP THE BIEDS 



The plumage of this species varies considerably, and ornitholo- 

 gists do not appear to be quite agreed respecting its changes. 

 Tarrell, certainly, is in error when he says that birds of the 

 year have the whole of the plumage chocolate brown, and that 

 in the second year the head, nape, chin, and throat become of a 

 dull yellow. In July, 1843, I obtained in Leadenhall Market 

 three living examples of the Marsh Harrier in the nest plum- 

 age, having the feathers only partially grown, and the quills so 

 short that the birds must have been taken near their nesting- 

 place. These individuals had the whole of the body of a dark 

 chocolate brown, with the feathers narrowly bordered with red- 

 dish brown, the crown of the head, occiput, cheeks, and throat 

 "of a clear orange brown, and the auriculars dark brown, like the 

 body, forming a dark patch chiefly behind the eye. The pale, 

 bald appearance of the head would therefore seem to characterize 

 the first or nest plumage. And from other specimens in my pos- 

 session it would appear probable, if not certain, that the head 

 afterwards becomes streaked with brown, and ultimately loses 

 the bald appearance altogether, the streaks widening very much, 

 so that the feathers are merely tipped and bordered with pale 

 buff or yellowish white ; and this is the case in both sexes. 



There is a well marked variety of the Marsh Harrier, which 

 appears to be plentiful in India. The figiu-e given in Yarrell, 

 and stated to be that of a mature male, represents this variety. 

 The secondaries, great coverts, and tail feathers are of a clear 

 blue grey ; and the body both above and below is of a reddish 

 brown streaked with darker brown, the back feathers and scap- 

 ulars are somewhat darker than the rest. Specimens which are 

 supposed to be of this variety, and which I take to be immatui'e, 

 have the brown tints both paler and redder than in the adult, 

 and have the under parts of a reddish brown or ferruginous 

 colour, almost without streaks or blotches ; the head, neck, and 

 front of the body considerably paler than the under parts. This 

 well marked variety or race is without the dark patch behind 

 tlic eye, so constant in the normal specimens. 



Jerdon says that the figures in Yarrell and Gould were taken 



