THE BUZZARD AND ITS PREY. 



39 



flying over and over the ground in a slow and steady manner, looking for prey. 

 He eats worms and mice, and even little birds when he can get them. On 

 this occasion he spied a rat running along the ground, and at once struck it 

 down with his talons. Like the hawk, he kills with a single blow. 



^■O -^^.v '^'^^"^ — \ I 



THE COMMON, OR MOUSE BUZZARD. 



When he has finished his meal, he will retire to the branch of a tree, or 

 to the ledge of a rock, and repose until he has digested it. Then he will issue 

 forth again, and sweep over the country, or sail about with his wings expanded 

 to their fullest extent. Then he looks very much like the eagle. 



His nest is built in a tree, or else on the shelf of a rock. It is made of 



