THE COMMON BUZZARD. 



The Buzzards, though possessed of considerable bodily powers, are a slothful and 

 inactive race. The beak is comparatively small and feeble ; the tarsi variable, but 

 generally short, and, in some mstances, covered with short feathers to the toes ; the 

 wings are of considerable extent and rounded, the fourth quill feather being usually the 

 largest ; the taU is square or moderately rounded. 



The common buzzard is one of the bii-ds of prey frequently met with in most wooded 

 portions of England, and over the whole of Europe. " In the north," Mr. Lloyd says, 

 " the buzzard is gradually becoming rarer and rarer. The buzzard is a carrion-feeding 

 bird, and seldom kills anything but small birds, mice, or frogs, excepting dm-ing the 

 breeding season, when it is very destructive to game ; at other times the buzzard lives 

 an indolent hfe. After having satisfied her himger, this bu-d will sit for hours perfectly 

 motionless on some withered branch, or on a projecting corner of rock, whence she com- 

 mands a good view of the surrounding country ; and can easily detect the approach of 

 danger. A cowardly bird, except when excited by hunger, she submits patiently to the 

 attacks of the smaller bii-ds, and flies from the magpie or jackdaw. Like the kite, the 

 raven, the eagle, and all birds who feed much on carrion, the buzzard has a lofty flight 

 when in search of food. Soaring high up in the air, and wheeling in circles, she appears 

 to examine the surface of the land for many miles, in hopes of detecting some dead 

 sheep or other carcase. 



" The buzzard evinces Uttle cunning in avoiding traps, and is easily caught. I have 

 found their nests, containing from three to fom- large and nearly wliite eggs, in difierent 

 situations ; sometimes built on rocks, and at other times in the branches of a tree, at no 

 great height from the gi-oimd. She sits close, and will allow the near approach of a 

 passer by, before she leaves her eggs. Though she is one of the most ignoble of the 

 hawk kind, I have a Ungering afiection for this bird, in consequence of her being con- 

 nected in my remembrances with the rocky bums and hanging woods of the most 

 romantic glens in the Highlands, where I have frequently fallen in with her nest and 

 young." 



Dr. Richardson observed the common buzzard in North America, as high as the fifty- 

 seventh parallel of latitude, and considered that it went still i'urthcr north. This bird 

 visits the fur countries of that continent in the middle of April, and leaves by the end 

 of September. 



The following anecdote, which was related by M. Fontaine, cnr6 of St. Pierre de 

 Belesme, to the Comtc dc Euffbn, will show that the buzzard may be. so far tamed as to 

 be rendered a faithfid domestic. " In 1763, a buzzard was brought to me that had been 

 taken in a snare. It was at first extremely wild and unpromising. I undertook to tame 

 it : and I succeeded, by leaving it to fast, and constraining it to come and cat out of 



• HuUm) ViilgariH. 



