MARSH HAWK. 
89 
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 Hudson’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 character- 
istic ; 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 ; scapulars, spotted with the same under the 
surface ; lesser coverts and band of the wing, here and 
there edged with the same ; greater coverts and prima- 
ries, tipt with whitish ; quills deep brown at the extreme 
half, some of the outer ones hoary on the exterior edge ; 
all the primaries, yellowish white on the inner vanes 
and upper half, also barred on the inner vanes with 
black ; tail, long, extending three inches beyond the 
wings, rounded at the end, and of a pale sorrel colour, 
crossed by four broad bars of very dark brown, the two 
middle feathers excepted, which are barred with deep 
and lighter shades of chocolate brown ; chin, pale fer- 
ruginous ; round the neck, a collar of bright rust colour ; 
Pallas, as quoted by Pennant. 
