COMMON BUZZARD. 327 



at Ellerton, Scollit, and Keld, and a pair were seen at Moss 

 Farm, Muker, in 1898. As the bird still nests over the 

 Westmorland border it is not improbable that these in- 

 dividuals may have strayed from their breeding quarters. 

 The late James Carter (MS. 1902), stated that he had heard 

 of them nesting on Ash Head Moor, near Masham, " several 

 years ago " ; and he had a specimen which was captured 

 in that locality. 



In Wensleydale, according to the late E. Chapman, the 

 Common Buzzard did not belie its name about forty years 

 ago, but it is now very rarely seen (MS. 1886). It also occurs 

 in Teesdale, though very seldom, and it appears to have ceased 

 to nest in that district. 



This fine bird formerly bred in Cleveland, on the high 

 ridge between Waupley and Danby, and it also used to nest 

 in Douthwaite Dale, near Whitby. It is still occasionally 

 obtained in these districts, noticeably in the Grinkle and 

 Mulgrave Woods, where specimens were trapped in 1886, 

 1887, and 1895 ; as also at Ingleby-in-Cleveland, the latest 

 record at that place being in 1887, when an adult female was 

 captured. 



As a partial migrant the Buzzard is most frequently met 

 with in the autumn, it is occasionally noted in spring, and 

 although it has been frequently observed, especially near the 

 coast, it is far from regular in its occurrence, more particularly 

 during the last few years. Near Beverley it is stated to be 

 now more rare than its congener the Rough-legged Buzzard, 

 and this really appears to be the case. The communicated 

 and recorded instances of its occurrence have, however, 

 become too voluminous for particularization ; suffice it to 

 say that it has been noted in most parts of the county dur- 

 ing the autumn and winter. 



Mr. W. Walton of Middleton-in-Teesdale informs me that 

 his grandfather kept a pet " Buzzard Hawk," and, cock- 

 fighting being then in vogue, he pitted it against game- 

 cocks, when it came off victorious. He also remarks it had 

 a very peculiar method of attacking its foe. The late J. 

 Harrison of Wilstrop reported in the Field (29th May 1886), 



