ii6 



Britisli Birds. 



sluggish in its ways. Our Common Buzzard nests now only in certain districts of 

 Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and occasionally on the northern moors of England, 

 but constant persecution has greatly cut down its numbers, and it is not so common 

 as it used to be. It is found in Northern and Western Europe, but does not extend 

 very far east into Russia, and is again not plentiful in the Mediterranean countries. 



The Buzzard is decidedly a useful bird, as it feeds largely on mice, frogs and 

 reptiles, as well as occasionally on small birds. It generally builds its nest in a 

 tree, or on ledges of rocks, or in small caves. The nest is rather roughly made of 

 sticks, lined with smaller twigs, and with fresh green leaves. The eggs are two 

 to four in number, white or greenish-white, and generally without spots, though 

 occasionally there are mottlings of rufous brown. 





^^^i/ft 



The Desert Buzzard. 



The Red-tailed Blzzard. 



THE DESERT 



BUZZARD. 



(Butco dcscrtorum.) 



This may be called a rufous form of the Common 

 Buzzard, with more rufous on the upper tail-coverts and tail, 

 this rufous colour being distinguishable in the _\-oung birds, 

 as well as in the old ones. It is an inhabitant of Southern 

 Europe and Africa and has been said to have occurred three times in England, 

 twice in Northumberland, and once in Wiltshire. In its habits, nest, and eggs it 

 does not difler from the Common Buzzard. 



A single specimen of this Buzzard is said to liave 

 THE RED-TAILED ^^^^ obtained in Nottinghamshire. The species is an 

 inhabitant of North America, and is a somewhat larger bird 

 than our Common Buzzard, and it is also distinguished from 



BUZZARD. 



{Buteo borealis.) 



