240 
MARSH HARRIER. 
There is often a considerable variation in the 
tints of this species, and of the predominance or 
want of white on the head and throat. In one 
specimen before me the whole plumage, with the 
exception of the forehead, hindhead, throat, and 
sides of the mouth, with the tips of the quills, is 
very deep umber brown, not distinguished by 
any lighter shade underneath. The parts ex- 
cepted are yellowish white. In another specimen 
the plumage is of a pale reddish umber brown, 
having the upper tail covert, and base of the 
outer tail feathers, pale yellowish red ; the former 
shewing a bar like that seen on the Ringtail. The 
quills are not tipped with white, and the white of 
the hindhead is very pure, extended above each 
eye. In the young birds the colours are gene- 
rally more uniform, and there is no yellowish 
white about the head : on what has been con- 
sidered the adult birds, again, the pale colour 
sometimes extends over the whole head, purest 
on the occiput, and there is often a patch of the 
same colour on the scapulars. The most common 
state of the bird, however, is that first described, 
umber brown, with the head and throat white, the 
centre of the crown more or less spotted with 
brown. Mr Selby mentions a variety which he 
kept in confinement, having the throat, bastard 
wing, four quill feathers, and outer tail feathers, 
pure white. The bill is bluish black ; cere, legs, 
