J. E. LITTLEBOY—NOTES ON BIRDS. 
83 
kinds and in every stage, as well as caterpillars, are eaten, and the 
hen, it would appear, scarcely ever leaves the nest for the sixteen 
days of her incubation.” Occasional instances of the nesting of 
the hoopoe in England are recorded, apparently on good authority. 
The veteran naturalist, Gilbert White, thus refers to the subject 
in his delightful ‘ Natural History of Selborne.’ * “ The most 
unusual birds I have ever observed in these parts were a pair of 
hoopoes which came several years ago in the summer and frequented 
an ornamental piece of ground, which joins to my garden, for 
several weeks. They used to march about in a stately manner, 
feeding in the walks many times a day, and seemed disposed to 
breed in my outlet, but were frightened and persecuted by idle boys.” 
3. The Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus). —A. ringtail, or female 
hen-harrier, was observed by Mr. Marlborough R. Pryor at Weston 
Manor, near Stevenage, on the 28th of October, and on one or two 
subsequent occasions. When only seen upon the wing, it is very 
difficult to distinguish a female hen-harrier from the female of 
Montagu’s harrier. Mr. Pryor had a good opportunity of observing 
the bird in question; he is well acquainted with both species; 
he believes, both from its general appearance, and from the period 
of the year at which it was seen, that it was a hen-harrier, and as 
such I accept it. 
The hen-harrier is one of the more rare among our British 
Raptores. Like most of its fellows it is gradually becoming scarcer, 
and at present is but rarely known to breed within the limits of 
the three kingdoms. “It was formerly a regular summer visitor 
to the British Islands; it is now principally seen on its autumnal 
migration.”! Male and female harriers differ very considerably in 
appearance, and for many years were supposed to belong to different 
species. The question was satisfactorily settled by Montagu,! who 
reared three young birds from the nest, and found, by careful 
observation, that the distinctive plumage of the male bird is only 
assumed “ in the autumn of the year after it leaves its nest, and 
not in the same year.” The name, hen-harrier, is said to have 
originated from certain predatory proclivities which this species is 
supposed to exhibit, not only towards game on mountain-side and 
moor, but, whenever opportunity offers, towards the domestic 
poultry of the farm-yard. Respecting the hen-harrier, Mr. Henry 
Seebohm writes as follows : § “ A more appropriate name would be 
the ‘mountain-harrier.’ It is very partial to hill-sides, hunting 
them systematically, with great perseverance, like a pointer, re¬ 
turning backwards and forwards over the same ground. I have 
never seen them soar very high : they fly remarkably steadily, with 
slow regular beats of the wing, like a heron, turning sharply with 
a twist of the tail like a kite, now and then hovering like a 
kestrel, and anon skimming over the ground like a grouse.” 
* Edition 1788, p. 34. 
t Seebokra’s ‘ British Birds,’ vol. i, p. 128. 
f ‘ Ornithological Dictionary,’ Ed. 1833, p. 250. 
§ ‘ British Birds,’ vol. i, p. 129. 
