Family FALCONIDiE. 



THE MARSH-HARRIER. 



Circus (Bvuginosus (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 30. 



The Marsh-Harrier, known to fenmen as the Moor-Buzzard, although still 

 occasionally visiting the British Islands in spring and autumn, has almost vanished 

 as a resident species. It is possible, however, that a pair or two may linger among 

 the bogs of Ireland. 



At one time this fine bird was common in the fens and marshy districts of our 

 eastern counties, and in places suited to its habits in Dorset, Devonshire, and other 

 parts of south-western England. It is still plentiful among the marshes of Central, 

 Southern, and Eastern Europe, and also inhabits North Africa and Asia. 



The nest is usually placed on or near the ground among reeds, sedge, and rushes, 

 and is built of dead reeds, sedge, and grasses. The eggs, bluish-white in colour, 

 and occasionally having faint brownish markings, are four or five in number. 



The greater part of the Marsh-Harrier's food consists of frogs and other reptiles, 

 eggs, nestlings, and disabled waterfowl or Snipe, which are pounced upon as the 

 bird slowly quarters the ground in regular beats, flying low down and moving 

 backwards and forwards with steady flaps of its broad and long wings. Lord 

 Lilford states {Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood) that " the female, 

 whilst sitting, is fed by the male bird, who hovers over the nest and drops the 

 prey to his mate." 



It is only the fully adult male which shows the distinctive grey colouring on the 

 wings and tail, as represented in the plate. The female has the tail and underparts 

 brown, with some creamy-white on the shoulders of the wings. The second 

 figure in the background gives the plumage of the young in the first year, with 

 the conspicuous light buff-coloured head, which gave it the name of Bald Buzzard. 



It may be noted here that the Harriers have a distinct frill of small close-set 

 feathers passing from the sides of the head round the neck, causing a resemblance 

 to the facial disc of the Owls, but according to Professor Newton {Dictionary of 

 Birds)'. " No osteological affinity, however, can be established between the Harriers 

 and any section of the Owls, and the superficial resemblance will have to be 

 explained in some other way." 



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