86 THE GOLDEN EAGLE AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY. 



top of some high tree. The osprey is not very plentiful in North China 

 proper, but I saw a great many in Manchuria along the big rivers. 



Beside these large birds there are a great many smaller bixds of 

 prey found in North China. There is the kite {Milvus tnelanotis) , 

 which occurs everywhere, from the coastal towns and regions to the 

 Mongolian Plateau or the Archaic ranges of the west. This bird is in 

 the main a scavenger, though it is credited with carrying off chicks 

 and other young poultry. It is often mistaken for the eagle whjn in 

 flight, but it may readily be distinguished from all other birds of prey 

 in this country by its forked tail. 



A bird that about equals the kite in size, and somewhat resembles 

 it in appearance is the white-tailed buzzard (Buteo hemilasms) 

 though its plumage is considerably lighter, and its feet are yellov/ 

 instead of blue-grey. This bird is not a scavenger, though it is nut 

 SQ good a hunter as many other hawks, being somewhat slow and 

 clumsy. I have seen one chasing a peregrine to rob it of a partridge, 

 which it had caught. The buzzard, though much the larger bird was 

 unable to overtake its victim, in spite of the heavy weight the latter 

 was carrying. 



Birds belonging to this species are very common in the loess hills 

 of North and West Shansi, where they build their nests on ledges or 

 outgrowing shrubs on high cliffs. They love to perch on the tops of 

 tall trees and buildings, whence they may command a wide view. It 

 is almost impossible to get a shot at them, for they are very shy and 

 wide awake. In IMongolia I came across a large buzzard which was 

 very light in colour with a white head. 



A much smaller species, B. plumipcs, also occurs. It is common 

 in North-east China, but is not often met with in the west. 



The next bird in point of size is a gerfalcon (Falco saccr), a fine 

 hawk, noted for its fierceness and speed, and much valued by the 

 falconer. This and the next species are used a great deal by the 

 Chinese in the pursuit of small game. I have described the mode of 

 procedure in this sport elsewhere, so will not do so again. 



In England some attempts have been made to revive falconry, but 

 without much success. So much time and patience is required in 

 training the falcons and in keeping them so. 



The peregrine {Falco 'pcrcgrinus) is also very common in China, 

 chiefly in hilly and mountainous districts. This bird may readily be 

 recognized by its dark blue-black back, white throat and closely barred, 

 grey breast. It is of a lighter, more slender build than the gerfalcon. 



