128 BUTEO. 



broader and less pointed, of the other parts generally 

 broad and rounded, of the outer part of the tibia elon^ 

 gated. Wings long, broad, rounded, the third or 

 fourth quill longest, the first very short ; the primary 

 quills broad, tapering, but rounded at the end, the outer 

 four abruptly cut out on the inner web ; the secondary 

 very broad and rounded. Tail of moderate length, 

 ample, rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers. 



The Buzzards, of which our two British species are 

 characteristic examples, are generally birds of rather 

 large or moderate size. In form and plumage they are 

 very intimately allied to the eagles and sea-eagles, as 

 well as in the form of the bill, which is, however, short- 

 er and less deep towards the end, and of the feet> 

 which differ, notwithstanding, in being proportionally 

 less robust, and in having the claws smaller. As to 

 their manners, all that can be said generally is, that 

 they prefer unfrequented moorland, or woodland, or 

 marshy places ; usually fly low, and with less rapidity 

 than the falcons and hawks ; sail in circles, like the 

 eagles and some other species, and prey on heavy-flying 

 birds, small quadrupeds, reptiles, and even insects. To 

 this may be added, that they are accused of being slug- 

 gish and inactive, because, when not hungry, they, like 

 true savages, dose away their time, perched on a tree 

 or a stone, and because they do not shew off^ by giving 

 chase to pigeons, finches, or swallows, preferring more 

 easily captured prey. The birds, in fact, are not fitted 

 for such headlong flights as falcons, and are satisfied 

 with a sufficiency of food, and when they have no cu- 

 riosity to satisfy, nor any amusement to engage in, they 



