HONEY BUZZARD. 203 



lying markings of violet-gray. The amount of markings 

 varies considerably. Some varieties are clouded and 

 blotched ; others spotted and faintly streaked ; some have 

 few markings at all, and either most of them underlying 

 or surface ones ; on some eggs the markings are small 

 and pretty evenly dispersed ; on others large and bold, 

 and mostly confined to the large or small end of the ^%^. 

 Average measurement, 2"25 inches in length, by rS inch 

 in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, 

 lasts, according to Tiedemann, from twenty-one to 

 twenty-four days, but is probably longer. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of this species 

 may readily be confused with those of the Common 

 Buzzard, and require the most careful identification. 

 The character of the nest, however, renders confusion 

 unlikely. 



The Honey Buzzard {Penits apivonis) appears never 

 to have been a very abundant species in the British 

 Islands, although it was certainly known by Willughby 

 to breed in our area two hundred years ago. The high 

 price set upon its eggs has done more than anything 

 else to exterminate this species, and it is now more 

 than doubtful if any individuals rear their young within 

 our area. The New Forest district appears to have 

 been its last lingering stronghold. It may still breed 

 there, but if such is really the case the secret is guarded 

 with a jealousy which every naturalist must respect. 

 The Honey Buzzard does not appear to make its own 

 nest, but to select a deserted nest of a Crow or a 

 Magpie, a Buzzard or a Kite, which it relines with a 

 quantity of green leaves (beech by preference), or twigs 

 with the leaves on them. This lining appears to be 

 renewed from time to time. The eggs are from two to 

 four, generally the former, less frequently three, and 



