1 I 2 
British Birds. 
a large nest of sticks, placed on a ledge of rock or in a cave, generally in an almost 
inaccessible position. A single egg is laid, never more than two, dull white, with 
occasionally some faint rufous markings, which are seldom very distinct. 
Two specimens of this Vulture have been killed in Britain, 
one in Somersetshire and one in Essex. It is an inhabitant of 
the Mediterranean countries, and extends as far as Central Asia in 
summer, while Africa forms its winter resort. The young birds are 
brown, with the bare face grey instead of yellow. As in other 
Vultures the food consists of carrion, and the nest is placed on the 
ledge of a rock: it is compiled of all sorts of rubbish and decaying filth, while the 
species is, according to Colonel Irby, ‘ probably the foulest feeding bird that lives.’ 
The eggs are very handsomely coloured, being richly marked with red, on a white 
ground. They measure about two-and-a-half or two-and-three-quarter inches in length. 
The Accipitrince Hawks comprise the Harriers and Sparrow Hawks, in both 
of which the tibia and tarsus are about equal in length. In the Hawks the tarsus 
is transversely scaled behind, in the Harriers it is reticulate; and the latter birds are 
further distinguished by having a ruff of feathers surrounding the face, much the 
same as in the Owls : this has resulted in their being associated with the latter 
birds in former arrangements of the Accipitriform.es. 
THE EGYPTIAN 
SCAVENGER 
VULTURE. 
(Neophron 
pevcnupterus.) 
THE 
HEN-HARRIER. 
(Circus cyaneus.) 
The male of 
this Harrier may 
be recognised by 
its blue- grey 
colour and pure 
white upper tail- 
coverts, as well 
as by the uniform 
white thighs and 
blue-grey throat 
and chest. The 
absence of rufous 
streaks on the 
breast and under 
surface of the The Hen-Harrier. 
Montagu’s Harrier. The Marsh-Harrier. 
body separates it 
from Montagu's Harrier, as does also its larger size. The hen birds and young of 
the two species are not so easily distinguished, but the female Hen Harrier always 
