FALCONID.E. 



31 



SUB-FAMILY TI. 



BUTEONIX.E, 



The Buzzards. 



Gen. Chakac. — Bill short, broad at the base, with the culmen much curved to 

 the tip, which is acute, and the lateral margins festooned ; the cere covers 



• more than the basal half of the beak ; wings long, the third and fourth quills 

 generally the longest ; tarsi lengthened, generally naked, and covered both 

 in front and behind with broad transverse scales ; toes, including the hind 

 one, rather short. 



Fig. 13.— the common buzzakd. 

 {Buteo vulgaris.) 



These birds are found in most parts of the world : 

 they have a heavy and indolent appearance^ and 

 generally inhabit woods and forests. Their flighty 

 which is sometimes performed during the twilight, 

 is easy and buoyant, and generally taken in exten- 

 sive sweeps over meadows and marshes, near the 

 surface of the ground. They live upon small birds. 



