THE HARRIERS. 
73 
foe with, it, and then drops it upon the hard ground, a process which effectually expels the 
last remnant of life. When domesticated it has been known to go through a similar series of 
manoeuvres, by way of gamesomeness ; the snake being represented for the nonce by a straw 
or a twig. 
One of the most notable peculiarities of this strange bird, is the manner in which it runs 
and walks. While young its mode of walking is ungraceful in the extreme, and can but be 
characterized as a hobble. When it has attained adult age, however, its gait, although rather 
odd, and like a person walking on stilts, is yet easy and constrained, but when the bird puts 
forth its speed, it runs with a swiftness so remarkable that the Arab has given it the name of 
Ferras Seytan, or devil’ s horse. This astonishing speed is probably useful in carrying out the 
great business of its life, and in attacking or avoiding the onset of its poison-bearing enemies. 
The nest of the Secretary is built on the summit of a lofty tree, and contains two or three large 
white eggs. 
The ordinary length of the adult Secretary bird is about three feet, and its color is almost 
wholly a slaty -gray. The peculiar feathers which form the crest are black, as are the prima- 
ries and the feathers of the thigh. There is a lighter patch towards the abdomen. The tail is 
black with the exception of the two central rectrices, which are gray with a white tip and a 
broad black bar towards their extremities. 
THE HARRIERS. 
We now arrive at the Harriers, probably so called because they “harry” and persecute 
the game. Of the several species of this genus, the most common one is the Hen Harrier. 
The Harrier may be readily distinguished from the other hawks by the manner in which 
the feathers radiate around the eyes, forming a kind of funnel-shaped depression, somewhat 
similar to but not so perfect as that of the owl. This structure is thought to be serviceable to 
the bird in giving it a wide range of vision in its hunting excursions. The flight of the 
Harrier is very low, seldom being more than a few yards above the ground, and as the bird 
flies along it beats every bush, and pries into every little covert in search of prey. There are 
few of the smaller animals that do not fall victims to the Hen Harrier, which is always ready to 
pick up a field-mouse, a lizard, a small snake, a newt, or a bird, and will even pounce upon so 
large a bird as a partridge or pheasant. Sometimes it sits on a stone or small hillock, and 
from that post keeps up a vigilant watch on the surrounding country, sweeping off as soon as 
it observes indications of any creature on which it may feed. 
The flight of the Hen Harrier, although it is not remarkable for its power, is yet very 
swift, easy, and gliding, and as the bird quarters the ground after its prey, is remarkably 
graceful. The Harriers prefer to live on moors and similar localities, where they can pursue 
their rather peculiar mode of hunting, and where they may find a secluded spot for a secure 
home. Like the kestrel, the Hen Harrier appears to have regular hunting-grounds, and is very 
punctual in its visits. The nest of this bird is generally placed under the shadow of some con- 
venient furze-bush, and is composed of a few sticks thrown loosely together, in which are 
deposited four or five very pale blue eggs. The young are hatched about the middle of June. 
The two sexes differ very greatly in color, and until comparatively recent times were 
recorded as distinct species. The general color of the adult male is ashen gray from the beak 
and upper parts, the only exception being the primaries, which are black. The throat and 
chin are nearly of the same hue as the beak, but the chest and abdomen are white, with a 
slight blue tinge which is lost upon the plumage of the thigh. On the under surface of the 
tail are several indistinct dark bars, and the hair-like feathers between the eye and the base of 
the beak are black. The legs, toes, and cere are yellow, the claws black, and the beak nearly 
black, with a blueish tinge. The length of the male bird is about eighteen inches. 
The female is a much darker bird, the head being mottled brown, and the back and upper- 
portions of a deep dusky-brown, the primaries being but a little darker than the plumage 
of the back. The feathers of the under parts are lighter brown, with pale margins, so as 
VOL. II.— 10 . 
