FALCOXID^. 141 



frequently found hawking over cultivated lands and near farm-houses 

 (T. J., Bray's 'Tamar and Tavy,' 1st ed. 1836, i. p. 345). This species is 

 marked as breeding on Dartmoor (E. M., Rowe's Peramb. Dartmoor, 

 1st ed. 1848, p. 229). About 1843, during a severe winter, many speci- 

 mens were obtained (J. B. R., Trans, Plym. Inst. 1863). The Rev. E. A. 

 Julian stated that, while Snipe-shooting on Dartmoor, in December 1849, 

 he saw two of these birds, and a warrener then informed him that many 

 years ago, in a very severe winter, he destroyed eight of them in one week 

 ('Naturalist,' 1851, p. 58). A male in the second 5'ear's plumage was 

 shot by a keeper at 81apton Ley, November 1st, 1875, whilst in the act of 

 taking a Coot (R. P. N., Zool. 1876, p. 4761). This specimen is in the 

 possession of Sir Lydstone Newman, Bart. 



The Marsh-Harrier is said to be an occasional visitor to Lundy Island 

 (Trans. Devon. Assoc, viii. p. 309). An adult male was killed on Braun- 

 ton ^Marshes, November 3rd, 1890 (H. A.Evans, Zool. 1891, p. 62), and is 

 now in the Museum of Westward Ho ! College. 



The Marsh-Harrier, once very common, is now by far the scarcest of 

 the three British Harriers in Devonshire. On Dartmoor, where it formerly 

 nested, we never encountered a single example in the course of many 

 years' Snipe-shooting. One frequented the Barnstaple river about 1857, 

 and on a hot August afternoon, we believe in that year, we saw it fishing 

 in some shallow pools left by the tide on the wide flat opposite Heanton 

 Court. It plunged rather awkwardly into the water several times, 

 but the distance was too great for us to see if it captured any fish. This 

 bird, which was a fine adult male, frequented the sides of the river for a 

 considerable time, and we do not think was shot. So rare is this Harrier 

 iu North Devon, that we cannot remember a single example being brought 

 to the Barnstaple birrl-stufi'er during a long period of years. Capt. Still, of 

 the Koyal Wilts Militia, writing to us on September 27, 1876, says : — " We 

 have a pair of Marsh-Harriers in the valley near Musbury at the present 

 time ; they have been there since last winter, and are supposed to have 

 bred. They seem to lead the wild Ducks a nice dance. They never leave 

 one particular spot, a belt of white poplars close to the river, except when 

 in search of food." 



The Marsh-Harrier is now equally as rare in Cornwall and Somerset as 

 in Devon, but in Dorset it still fre(|ucnts the salt-marshes between Ware- 

 ham and Arne (Mansel-Pleydell, ' Birds of Dorset'). 



Besides feeding on small mammals and birds, the Marsh-Harrier is, as 

 Lord Lilford informs us, a terrible stealer and devourer of eggs. 



Hen-Harrier. Circus cijaneus (Linn.). 

 [Blue Hawk, Furze-Kite, Yuzz Kitt : DcvJ] 



Still perhaps a resident ; but now for the most part only a casual 

 visitor, principally in autumn, and of rare occurrence. Adult males are 

 very seldom met with. 



The Furze-Kite, or Blue Furze-Hawk, as it is called iu the West, used 



