32 ACCIPITRES. 



quadrupeds, and reptiles, whicli they eitlier seize 

 while flying or strike upon the ground, darting upon 

 them from the top of a tree or hillock, from whence 

 they have been watching. They breed in woods, or 

 sometimes upon rocks, or on the sides of deep ra- 

 vines. Their nest is composed of sticks, and lined 

 with wool, hay, and other soft materials, or occa- 

 sionally they will take possession of the nests of 

 other birds. Their eggs are usually two or three in 

 number. 



The typical species, — 



The Common Buzzard {Buteo* vulgaris) is met with 

 in many parts of Europe, and is well known in the 

 British Isles. It is rather an inactive bird, but may be 

 often seen soaring to a great height, and sailing round in 

 circles. When in pursuit of prey, it glides over the 

 fields at no great distance from the ground, and pounces 

 down upon any victim that may come within the range 

 of its vision. It lives npon small birds, and is most 

 destructive to young grouse and partridges ; nothing, 

 however, seems to come amiss to its appetite, and small 

 quadrupeds, reptiles, and even earthworms, are equally 

 acce])table, but it does not often pursue feathered prey 

 upon the wing. The Buzzard is a bird of very sylvan 

 habits, delighting in tlie most extensive chases and ]jarks, 

 where there is abundance of aged timber. It has often 

 been described as being in the habit of watching from an 

 eminence or lofty tree, and thence sweeping down on 

 l>rey that may happen to come into its vicinity ; for this 

 purpose it is said to remain for hours in one situation ; 

 it is probable, however, that these long stationary pei'ches 

 are simply the result of repletion, or for the purpose of 

 rest after the exertion of hunting. 



The nest of the Buzzard is composed of sticks mixed 

 with heath, and lined with w^ool and grass. The eggs 

 are three or four in number, oval in shape, and of a dull 

 or slightly bluish-wliite, sometimes nearly spotless, ))ut 

 usually spotted with rusty brown. The young accom- 

 pany the old birds for some time after quitting their nest, 

 a circumstance unusual amongst birds of prey. 



* Butco, a buzzard. 



