HEN-HARRIER.
weather; but one or two aest* WON moil Doslly situated In iheltered oorriee, screened From almost every wind.
In llie eastern counties Uiey frequent llie rush-marshes, breeding among the sodnes anil oilier coarse herbage.
I geuerully noticed that they selected some spot where t h e cover was from two to three hot high.
I n the summer of 1809, while walking over a moor in the east of Sutherland, T disturlied a Ringtail (the
female or the I ten-Harrier is known by this name) from her nest, which contained one young ono just out of
the shell and live eggs on the point of hatching. As both the old birds were tlyiug round in a state of great
consternation, I sal down to watch their actions for a few minutes. On rising to leave the spot, 1 discovered
1 had laid my gun on the kick of an old Grey Hen, who now got up from her nest, in which were three freshlaid
eggs, evidently showing that she herself had chosen this apparently dangerous locality for her nursery, as
the Harriers' nest was within six or seven paces. This is not the only instance I have met with of game and
birds of prey being found in close proximity.
Within the distance of half a dozen miles of the above-mentioned nest 1 came upon another female silling
on eggs. In this instance I approached close enough lo obtain a good view o{ her before she rose. Whether
fenr or auger at my intrusion had caused her lo puff herself out to the fullest extent, I am unable to state;
anyhow her appearance was most remarkable, ller tail was spread and standing almost upright, while the
plumage on her back was elevated, and every fiathcr on her neck and head on end, the ring round the face
being particularly conspicuous. A Her watching her closely [or a minute or two, 1 drew cautiously back to
obtain my drawing-book, which was in one of the game-bags, in order to make a sketch of her position. On
endeavouring to approach the second time, she roso at once in the air ; and a subsequent attempt lo lake her
porirail met with no bettor success. Whether this is the usual manner in which the females of this species
comport themselves while engaged in the work of incubation, I am unable to state from personal experience,
as I never obtained another chance ol judging.
The Hate, showing the male and nestling, is taken from specimens obtained in Caithness. When first
discovered, this nest contained live eggs; but on visiting it a fortnight later 1 found a single young bird was
the only occupant, the eggs having most probably been carried off by some Grey Crows which were breeding
in a steep rock at no great distance.
The young, when newly hatched, are covered by a dirty whitish down. The soft parts of the beak and the
cere, as well as the iris, are also of much (he same dull tint.