. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. 92 THE MOOE BUZZARD. graceful The Harriors pi'ofor to livo on moors and similar localities, where thev can pursue their rather peculiar mode of Imntin- and where tliey may find a secluded spot lor a secure home. Like tlie Kestrel, the Hen Harrier ajipears to have regular huntincr. grounds, and is very punctual in its visits. The nest of this hird is generally place^d under thr shadow ot some conveni(!nt furze-hush, and is composed of a few sticks thrown loosely togetlier, in which are deposited
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. 92 THE MOOE BUZZARD. graceful The Harriors pi'ofor to livo on moors and similar localities, where thev can pursue their rather peculiar mode of Imntin- and where tliey may find a secluded spot lor a secure home. Like tlie Kestrel, the Hen Harrier ajipears to have regular huntincr. grounds, and is very punctual in its visits. The nest of this hird is generally place^d under thr shadow ot some conveni(!nt furze-hush, and is composed of a few sticks thrown loosely togetlier, in which are deposited four or five very pale blue eggs. The vounrr hta hatched about the middle of June. bb «J'"""o are The two sexes differ very greatly in colour, and until com- paratively recent times were re- corded as distinct species. The general colour of the adult male is ashen grey from the beak and upper parts, the only exception being the primaries, which are black. The throat and chin are nearly of the same hue as the beak, but the chest and abdomen are white, with a slight blue tinge, which is lost upon the pluina"e of the thigh. On the under siw- face of the tail are several indis- tinct dark bars, and the hair-like feathers between the eye and the base of the beak are black. Tlie legs, toes, and cere are yellow, the claws black, and the beak nearly black, with a bluish tinge. The length of the male bird°is about eighteen inches. The female is a much darker bird, thehead being mottled brown, aiid the back and upper portions of a deep dusky brown, the pri- maries being but a little darker than the plumage of the back The feathers of the under parts are lighter brown, with pale mar- gins, so as to present a kind of mottled buff and chestnut aspect; the upper surface of the tail is marked with partial dark bands, and its under surface is very dis- tinctly bound with broad bands of black and groyish-white. The funnel-shaped depression round the eyes, technically call
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
