Northern Observations of Inland Birds 23 



them, knows very well that their methods of descent and 

 of taking their prey are entirely unequal to the destruction 

 of birds so well able to take care of themselves as moor 

 game. It may be argued that the grouse becomes power- 

 less to rise in flight on perceiving the buzzard hovering 

 over it, but my experience, given later, entirely disproves 

 this. I believe that grouse become perfectly well 

 acquainted with the buzzard in the skies, and recognize 

 him for what he is ; and though the flight of the buzzard 

 might prove sufficiently swift for him to overhaul a grouse 

 in the air, this method of hunting is entirely contrary 

 to the bird's nature, and is not the procedure for which 

 he is designed. The argument is, therefore, that the 

 buzzard would readily feed on any bird that it found dead 

 or disabled, but that an adult grouse would be up and 

 away before the buzzard was upon it, and that it is not 

 within the nature of the last named to pursue so fleet- 

 winged a fugitive. Finally I very much doubt whether 

 this bird of prey could catch a grouse even if it tried, for 

 its powers of flight are centred around its wonderful 

 soaring and circling abilities as it watches from aloft. 

 Its wings are not designed for speed, as are those of the 

 golden plover, the peregrine, and many others, but are 

 huge rounded fans which enable it to glide at prodigious 

 speeds when the forces of the gale are at its bidding ; but 

 when flying straight in a comparatively stationary atmos- 

 phere its flight is heavy and laboured — indeed, it is little 

 more active than the heron. 



So far as adult game birds are concerned, therefore, 

 my observations all go to disprove that the buzzard is 

 ever guilty of their destruction. It is, of course, foolish 

 to resort definitely to positives or negatives concerning 

 the ways and habits of any wild bird or beast, but I would 

 go so far as to say that if a buzzard has ever been known 

 to strike down or seize a fit adult grouse, then it was 



