98 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



The female chiefly differs from the female of the last in colour 

 by the lower parts being whiter, and the streaks much larger and 

 more rufous brown. 



The wings are comparatively long in this species, reaching to 

 the end of the tail ; the tail also is long, and the tarsus considerably 

 shorter and feebler than in the last. Much lighter in weight than 

 C. Swainsonii. 



Irides yellow ; legs yellow. Length of male 16^ to 17 inches ; 

 wing 14 to 15; tail 9; tarsus 2f ; mid-toe and claw If. Of a 

 female the length is 18|; wing 14| to 15; tail 9|; tarsus 

 3 ; mid-toe and claw ly'^^j. 



This Harrier is equally abundant with the last, in some localities 

 more so perhaps, and in its habits it does not differ, and it has a 

 nearly equally wide distribution through Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

 I have found it in every part of India. Like the others it is 

 migratory, and is, I think, generally somewhat later in making its 

 appearance in this country. 



53. Circus melanoleucos, Gmel. 



Falco, apud Gmelin — Jerdon, Cat. 26 — Blyth, Cat. 92 — 

 HoRSF., Cat. 31 — Le Vaill. Ois. d.'Afrique, 1 pi. 32 — Pahafai, 

 Hind — AMak Petaha in Nepal. 



The Pied Harrier. 



Descr. — "Whole head, neck, breast, back, upper scapulars, 

 middle wing coverts, and primary quills, black ; the greater 

 coverts and secondaries, and some of the scapulars, beneath the 

 otliers, pale grey ; the lesser coverts and shoulders partially white, 

 mixed with some grey ; upper tail coverts mixed white and grey ; 

 beneath from the breast pure white; tail pure grey, unbarred; 

 paling on the outer feathers. 



Bill and cere black ; irides yellow ; legs yellow. Length 1 7 to 

 18 inches ; wing 14 ; tail 8 ; tarsus 2| ; mid toe and claw If. 

 The wings reach nearly to the end of the tail. Sexes alike. The 

 young birds appear to be coloured like their parents, at least 

 no specimens in different plumage have been observed in India. 



