242 
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PRE Y 
American harrier-hawks, and the cosmopolitan harriers; both of which are dis¬ 
tinguished from all the foregoing types by having an imperfect disc of feathers 
round the eyes,—thus recalling the owls,—and also by the hinder aspect of the 
metatarsus being covered with reticulate scales, instead of large scutes. With 
regard to the harrier - hawks ( Micrastur ), of which there are several species, 
ranging from Southern Mexico over the greater part of South America, it will 
suffice to state that they are distinguished by having circular nostrils with a 
bony excrescence, and form an intermediate step between the goshawks and the 
harriers, having the heavy build of the former, and the facial discs of the latter. 
The harriers, of which there are some sixteen species, are long- 
S^rricrs ^ 
winged and slender-built birds, remarkable for the great diversity 
existing in most cases between the plumage of the two sexes, and deriving their 
name from their harrying propensities. The nostrils differ from those of the 
harrier-hawks in being oval, and devoid of any bony excrescence; they are partly 
concealed by the radiating feathers of the lores. The beak is small, curving 
regularly from the base, and with only a slight festoon in its upper cutting-edge. 
The long wings have the first quill very short, and the third and fourth the longest; 
and the tail is of considerable length, and rounded. In length the metatarsus is 
relatively greater than in any other members of the family; the toes are somewhat 
short, and not very unequal in length; and the claws are very sharp, and but 
slightly curved. Harriers are distributed over the greater part of the globe, 
occurring in such widely distant countries as New Zealand and Britain, although 
they are absent from several regions, such as Malayana, Persia, and Arabia, where 
they might reasonably have been expected to occur. Of the numerous species of 
the genus, no less than three inhabit the British Islands; although the drainage of 
the fen-lands has sadly reduced their numbers, more especially in the case of the 
marsh-harrier. In habits all the harriers are very similar, although some, like the 
species last named, prefer low marshy spots, where they may be seen with their 
heavy flapping wings slowly skimming over the reeds; while others, like the 
hen-harrier, also frequent the drier hillsides. They all roost on or near the 
ground; and, when not hunting, may be seen, as in our illustration, perched on 
some low bough, post, or hillock. They hunt their prey to a great extent in the 
mornings and evenings, and feed on small birds, mammals, and reptiles; the marsh- 
haunting species supplementing this diet largely with frogs and fish, while others 
eat grasshoppers and other large insects. The nest is usually placed on the 
ground; and in the European species at least the eggs (three or four in number) 
are nearly uniform pale bluish or yellowish green. In addition to their facial discs 
and crepuscular habits, the harriers show another resemblance to the owls in their 
habit of laying their eggs at intervals, so that both eggs and nestlings may be 
taken from the same nest. In hunting, harriers frequently beat and quarter their 
ground almost with the regularity of a spaniel. Our remarks on the various 
species will be mainly confined to those inhabiting the British Islands. So 
different in appearance are the males and females of the hen - harrier ( Circus 
cyaneus ) that they were long regarded as distinct,—-the female being termed 
the ringtail,—and it was not till Montagu brought up a brood from the nest 
that their specific unity was established. In the adult male the general colour 
