182 BUTEO. BUZZARD. 



unless toward the base. Claws long, well curved, tapering, 

 very acute, convex above, compressed, flat beneath ; the first 

 and second largest, the fourth small, the third internally edged. 



Plumage full, very soft and elastic, but somewhat compact, 

 and rather glossy. Cere bare ; space between the eyes and bill 

 with radiating, very small, bristled-tipped feathers, with downy 

 barbs at the base. Feathers of the head narrow and pointed, 

 of the neck broader, of the other parts broadly ovate and 

 rounded. Wings long, very broad, rounded ; the third and 

 fourth quills longest, the first very short, the outer four with the 

 outer web attenuated, and the inner abruptly cut out ; secondary 

 quills very broad and rounded. Tail of moderate length, or 

 rather long, broad, rounded, of twelve broad feathers. 



The Buzzards are considered as among the least active birds 

 of this family ; yet their flight is strong and buoyant, very simi- 

 lar in character to that of the Eagles, which they resemble in 

 form, although many of them are very intimately allied to 

 some species of the genus Accipiter, wdiile others approximate 

 to the Circi. They sail in circles like the Eagles, mounting to a 

 great height, seek out their prey by flying low over the fields, 

 seldom pursue birds on wing, but pounce upon them on the 

 gpound, and, besides these animals, feed on small quadrupeds, 

 reptiles, insects, and worms. Species of this genus are found 

 on both continents. In Britain two are met with, the Com- 

 mon or Brown Buzzard, and the Rough-legged Buzzard. 



