MARSH HARRIER. 18 
MARSH HARRIER. 
Circus aRuGinosus, Linn. 
Pl. IV., fig. 2. 
Geogr. distr.—Southern and Central Europe, ranging into Africa 
as far as the Transvaal, eastward as far as India; occurs also in 
Japan ; formerly numerous in the few districts of Great Britain, but is 
now very local. 
Food.—Worms, Mollusca, fish, reptiles, small birds and water-fowl, 
rats, rabbits, and carrion. 
Nest.—A large, flat clumsy structure of dead flags, reeds and sticks, 
the central cavity very shallow. 
Position of nest.—On the ground or amongst dense masses of 
partly submerged flags or reeds. 
Number of eggs.—4-5; rarely 6. 
Time of nidification.—V. 
This Falcon is said occasionally to breed in the fork of 
a large tree, in which case the nest is formed of sticks: it 
frequents desolate moors, marshy land, and barren, sandy 
wastes ; its flight is not very rapid, and usually low, though 
in the breeding season the male is said to soar to a con- 
siderable height, and remain suspended on the wing for a 
great length of time while the female is sitting. 
Speaking of the nest and eggs, Hewitson says, ‘‘ In the 
fen countries, its usual 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 in number, 
the time of incubation early in May.” 
The only regular breeding-places of the Marsh Harrier 
in England are now said to be Devonshire and the eastern 
part of Norfolk; and, in Scotland, Aberdeenshire ; it how- 
ever occasionally breeds in other counties. 
The eggs of this and the other species of Harrier upon 
my plate were lent me by Mr. Dresser ; I have, therefore, 
no doubt of their authenticity; I have eggs in my own 
collection, but none of my own taking. 
