MARSH HAWK. 
273 
I have examined various individuals of this Hawk, both in 
summer and in the depth of winter, and find them to corres- 
pond so nearly with the Ring-tail of Europe, that I have no 
doubt of their being the same species. 
This Hawk is most numerous where there are extensive 
meadows and salt marshes, over which it sails very low, 
making frequent circuitous sweeps over the same ground, in 
search of a species of mouse, figured in Plate L., and very 
abundant in such situations. It occasionally flaps the wings, 
but is most commonly seen sailing about within a few feet of the 
surface. They are usually known by the name of the Mouse 
Hawk along the sea-coast of New Jersey, where they are very 
common. Several were also brought me last winter from the 
meadows below Philadelphia. Having never seen its nest, I am 
unable to describe it from my own observation. It is said, by 
European writers, to build on the ground, or on low limbs of 
trees. Mr Pennant observes, that it sometimes changes to a 
rust-coloured variety, except on the rump and tail. It is 
found, as was to be expected, at Pludson’s Bay, being native 
in both this latitude and that of Britain. We are also informed 
that it is common in the open and temperate parts of Russia 
and Siberia ; and extends as far as Lake Baikal, though it is 
said not to be found in the north of Europe.* 
The Marsh Hawk is twenty-one inches long, and three feet 
eleven inches in extent ; cere and legs, yellow, the former 
tinged with green, the latter long and slender ; nostril, large, 
triangular ; this and the base of the bill, thickly covered with 
strong curving hairs, that rise from the space between the eye 
and bill, arching over the base of the bill and cere ; this is a 
particular characteristic; bill, blue, black at the end; eye, 
dark hazel ; cartilage overhanging the eye, and also the eyelid, 
bluish green ; spot under the eye, and line from the front over 
it, brownish white ; head above and back, dark glossy chocolate 
brown, the former slightly seamed with bright ferruginous ; 
* Pallas, as quoted by Pennant. 
VOL. II. S 
