202 NATURAL HISTORY 



IIALIAETUS. 



Leucocephahis (Gr. Aev/co/ct^aAoc, white-headed), the White-headed 



Eagle. 



fourth primary feather of the wing; is the longest. "When full 

 grown, the general colour of the bird is a deep brownish black, 

 but its head, neck, tail, and upper tail-coverts are white. 



THE .BUZZARD. 



The family of the BUZZARDS are distinguished by their short 

 beaks, large rounded wings, and squared tails. They all prey 

 oh small animals, reptiles, and various insects. 



The Common Buzzard occurs throughout most of Europe 

 and part of Asia, being frequently found in England. When 

 searching for food, it rests upon some high branch, keeping a 

 keen watch on the ground, and waiting patiently until some 

 small animal, such as a rat, or young rabbit, makes its appear- 

 ance, when it instantly sweeps down from its elevation, seizes 

 its prey without settling on the ground, and returns, if not dis- 

 turbed, to the same spot, very much in the same manner that 

 the fly-catcher may be observed to act. 



