144 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
25. MARSH-HaRRIER, Circus eruginosus (Linn.) 
The Marsh-Harrier was the most numerous Hawk near 
Damietta, the Kestrel always excepted. On the plain of 
Gebel Silsilis they were still commoner, and we shot old 
and young in about equal proportions. They are not at all 
shy, but require large shot to bring them down. They fly 
at no great altitude, and often alight on the ground, but not 
on trees I believe. Some monstrous ticks had fastened on 
the face of one which was shot. I have several times ob- 
served them on sand banks. None of the females had the 
grey on the wings and tail peculiar to the adult male. 
26. HEN-HARRIER, Circus cyaneus (Linn.) 
I cannot say anything about the distribution of this 
Hawk; at the same time I have not the least doubt but 
that we saw it.* 
27, SWAINSON’S HARRIER, Circus macrurus (S. G. Gmelin). 
I seldom went out without seeing a Swainson’s Harrier 
or two beating low over the fields, yet we only shot three. 
Females were commoner than adult males, but not very 
much so. In England Harriers are not considered to perch 
upon trees,t but I have seen this species do so several times 
in Egypt. 
* T have seen Hen-Harriers in Durham, and also the Marsh-Harrier, 
quartering the meadows at Teesmouth like a well-trained dog, but both. 
are decidedly rare there. 
t+ In Hunt’s “British Ornithology” there is mention of a Marsh 
Harrier’s est upon a tree, on the authority of Archdeacon Glover of 
Southrepps, and it would appear that this is not unique. (cf. Yarrell, 
B.B., fourth edition, I., 130.) 
