THE GOLDEN EAGLE AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY. 87 



The female is of a browner colour, and has not the fine, barred breast 

 of the male, but is larger and fiercer. Like most of its kind the 

 peregrine builds its nest in high cliffs well out of reach of its enemies. 



The sparrow hawk {AccipHcr nisus) is very common in this 

 country. This pretty little hawk is chiefly remarkable for its unus- 

 ually long legs. The Chinese also use this species in falconry, though 

 it catches only small birds. The well known kestrel (Gerchneis tinnuii- 

 c;ulua) is also very common in North China, and may be recognised 

 by its light brick red back and breast, and grey head and wings. The 

 female is brown spotted with a darker shade. This bird may frequently 

 be seen hovering in the air for seconds together, only its wings beating 

 rapidly to keep it in position. 



Another small hawk that is very common is the Amour red-footed 

 falcon {ErijtJiropus amurcnsis). The plumage in this species is of 

 a uniform blue-grey, slightly lighter below. Its under tail coverts are 

 of a rich Indian red colour. The base of the beak, eyelids and legs 

 are also red or orange in colour. This and the two preceding species 

 build their nests in tall trees. 



A hawk that should be familiar to every wild fowler is the beautiful 

 hen haiTier (Circus cyaneus), which frequents marshy districts, feed- 

 ing upon small aquatic birds and animals. It is of a fine grey on 

 the head, back, wings and tail. The breast is grey and the belly 

 white. The base of the beak, the eyes and the long legs are of a bright 

 light yellow. The female is brown. These birds have very long wings, 

 and are extremely graceful. In IVIanchuria a harrier with a black 

 head and back, black and white wings and belly is very common. 

 It, ia known as G. melanoleucus. 



Finally we come to the nocturnal birds of prey. There are some 

 eight different species of owls, ranging from' the great eagle owl, which 

 is about! thirty inches in length, down to the little scops owl, not more 

 than seven inches. 



The eagle owl {Bubo maxiinus) is almost the largest of its kind. 

 It is of a brown colour, lighter on the breast than elsewhere, very 

 prettily marked with dark brown and black bars. It has two long 

 tufts like ears growing from the top of the head. The eyes, which are 

 very large, are of an orange colour; the feet are feathered, except on 

 the under surface, and are armed with long powerful claws. The 

 eagle owl inhabits mountainous and forested regions throughout North 

 China and Manchuria, where it may frequently be seen at dusk, flying 

 silently over the tree tops in search of food. 



