CIRCUS JERUGINOSUS. 
7 
its components on the south-western shores of Ceylon. In the case of more species than one, to be hereafter 
noticed, I have observed migrants in the extreme south at an earlier date than in the verv north of the island. 
The Marsh-Harrier is more numerous some seasons than others; and this irregularity in its numbers was 
particularly noticeable at Galle in 1871 and 1872, in the first of which years it was so common that it now 
and then frequented, one or two at a time, the open and public esplanade without the fort walls, coming into 
the “ camp ” and sitting on the ground near the barracks ; it was at the same time to be found in the marshes 
all through the district. In the following year, however, I noticed very few examples anywhere in that part of 
the island. It frequents the paddy-lands and swamps far up the Gindurah, and is likewise found in the interior 
of the country to the north of Hambantota, as well as in swampy districts along the south-east coast as far 
as the irrigated plains below the Batticaloa lake, the largest tract of paddy -land in the island and a favourite 
locality for all marsh-loving birds. I have not unfrequently seen it on the swamps between Colombo and Kotte. 
As regards its geographical range, the Marsh-Harrier is one of the most widely diffused of its genus. It 
may be said to have its permanent headquarters in Europe and Siberia, south of 60° N. lat., and in Western 
Asia as far as the region immediately north of the Himalayas. In the non-breeding season, however, its 
wandering propensities carry it over an immense portion of the Old World. It migrates through all India 
and into China and Japan, spreading southward even into the Philippines. In Africa it spreads over Egypt 
and Abyssinia, Algiers, and Eastern Morocco, and reaches the Canary Islands, where Professor Newton, in his 
edition of f arrell, says that Ledru obtained it in the island of Teneriffe. It occurs likewise in South Africa, 
where Mr. Ayres procured it in the Transvaal Republic. It is most abundant in the marshy districts of 
Europe, being very common in Turkey, and swarming, according to Mr. Howard Saunders, in the marshes of 
the Guadilquivir. Since the draining of the fens and marshes in England, it has become, according to Professor 
Newton, almost entirely banished. 
Habits . — The Marsh-Harrier, as its name implies, is a denizen of swamps, fens, damp moor-land, marshes, 
wet pasture-lands, and, in the East, of tracts of rice or “ paddy” cultivation, which supply it with the same 
kind of food as the first-named localities. It is a bird of powerful but heavy flight, traversing considerable 
distances with a few strokes of its long wings, followed by onward sweeps, in the course of which it guides 
itself along just above the ground, ready to drop on the first prey which it espies. It is by no means a sin- 
bird, either when seated or on the wing, and in the course of its beating round or crossing a piece of ground 
will fly close to the sportsman. 
It is the most predatory of all the Harriers, not contenting itself with living on reptiles, frogs, rats, and 
other small mammals, but seizing wounded Snipe and other birds without fear of the gun, and capturing fish 
with as much skill as the Fish-Hawk. I have killed it with a large Lulu*, weighing nearly two pounds, in 
its talons, and have likewise detected the remains of young Pipits in the stomach of one shot in the marshes 
of Jaffna. On seizing a lizard or snake, these birds usually devour it there and then, fixing it to the ground 
with the talons, in the same manner that any ordinary Hawk pins its prey to a branch. 
1 he Moor-Buzzard sometimes soars to a great height, circling round and round above swamps and 
marshes, and on account of its large size has much the appearance of an Eagle in the distance, until its 
long tail be observed, this feature at once ensuring its identification. It perches on the ground like its 
congeners, but not unfrequently rests on dead trees at the borders of marshes, and is the only Harrier I have 
seen thus perched in Ceylon. 
In his interesting paper on the birds of Turkestan, Dr. Scully remarks that besides feeding on frogs, 
xats, and lizards, the Marsh-Harrier kills the Reedling ( Calamophilus biarmicus ) , this little bird no doubt 
coming constantly beneath its notice as it hovers round the reed-beds of swamps in that country. 
Nidification. This species, it appears, has been known to breed in India, Mr. Hume having received 
a pair of eggs taken near the Kistna river. The natives of Oudh have also informed that gentleman that it 
breeds in their province ; and as it has been shot in other parts of the country during the breeding-season, it 
seems certain that a few birds breed within the Indian limits. The nest is said to be placed on the ground, 
among sedge or reeds, and to be made of sticks, rushes, or coarse grass. 
* A common freshwater fish in Ceylon. 
