What is "hen harrier"

Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.] A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant ( Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel. Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant ( Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-finger. Marsh elder. (Bot.)

1. The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ( Viburnum Opulus).

2. In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes ( Iva frutescens). Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas. Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus ( Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall Spartina cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low Spartina juncea is a common component of salt hay. Marsh harrier (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. Marsh hawk. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A hawk or harrier ( Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk.

   2. The marsh harrier.

      Marsh hen (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and Rallus longirostris of salt-water marshes.

      Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alth[ae]a ( Alth[ae]a officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.

      Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.

      Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; -- called also water pennywort.

      Marsh quail (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.

      Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice ( Statice Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender.

      Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant ( Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort.

      Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb ( Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers.

      Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea.

      Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean.

      Marsh wren (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

n. A bird of prey, ''Circus cyaneus'', which breeds in the northern parts of Eurasia and America.

n. common harrier of North America and Europe; nests in marshes and open land [syn: marsh hawk, northern harrier, Circus cyaneus]

The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) or northern harrier (in the Americas) is a bird of prey. The genus name Circus is derived , referring to a bird of prey named for its circling flight. The specific cyaneus is Latin, meaning "dark-blue".

It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA, and in northern Eurasia. This species is polytypic, with two subspecies. Marsh hawk is a historical name for the American form. The term "hen harrier" refers to its former habit of preying on free-ranging fowl.

It migrates to more southerly areas in winter. Eurasian birds move to southern Europe and southern temperate Asia, and American breeders to the southernmost USA, Mexico, and Central America. In the mildest regions, such as France, Great Britain, and the southern US, hen harriers may be present all year, but the higher ground is largely deserted in winter.