Gould lamented that the harrier was no longer found in areas where it was previously abundant 'that the Harriers and other large predatory birds are no longer to be found in their wonted haunts is not to be wondered at when we remember how large a portion of the country formerly in a natural condition has now been brought under cultivation, and that the keeper and the shepherd exterminate them wherever they can.'
The illustration depicts a male Hen Harrier which is 'always of a delicate grey', in the distance is a female, or 'Ringtail' which, like the young, is brown.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds Eurasia and North America. Winters south to northwest Africa, Mediterranean area, and south Asia, east to southeast Asia, southeast China, and Japan; also from Alaska and south Canada south to northern South America. Relatively small breeding population in Britain which because of habitat loss and persecution is declining