98 FALCON ID.E. 



we have seen from those continents have not perfectly satis- 

 fied us of their identity with the British species, as we have 

 observed the flanks and thighs of such American specimens 

 to have a narrow brown streak down the shafts of the fea- 

 thers, which the Hen Harriers of our own country have not 

 in their adult male plumage. 



The Hen Harrier remains in Britain all the year, but in 

 countries a few degrees further north it is migratory ; it is 

 said to leave the northern parts of Germany in autumn, and 

 is not seen again until the spring is far advanced. 



The habits and manners of the Hen Harrier are so very 

 similar to those of the Marsh Harrier, previously mentioned, 

 that a very minute description is unnecessary. Its food is 

 the same, and taken in the same manner from the ground. 



The structure and component parts of the nest are also 

 very similar, and the egg, although smaller in size, is nearly 

 the same in colour, namely, white, a little tinged with green. 

 The locality chosen for the nest is not altogether the same, 

 but differs in proportion to the less aquatic inclination of the 

 bird, and has usually been found among long grass, upon a 

 moor or heath, or on a fallen furze-bush ; and we have this 

 summer seen a nest of young birds of this species taken from 

 a similar place on a boggy heath in Surrey. 



In flight this species much resembles the Owls, especially 

 the Short-eared (Otus brachyotus). The general plumage 

 of the adult male is pale ash-grey on the upper parts, in- 

 cluding the head, back, scapulars, coverts of the wings, tail, 

 and some of the larger quill-feathers ; also the upper parts of 

 the breast. The first five quill-feathers are dusky, and grey 

 or white towards the root. The under parts of the plumage 

 are pure unspotted white, including the belly, thighs, under 

 tail-coverts, and under surface of the wings ; the rump and 

 upper coverts of the tail are also white, and a whitish ruff 

 nearly encircles the neck ; on the nape is a patch of black 



