294 CIRCUS .ERUGINOSUS. 



Montagu, M. Temralnck, and Mr Selby. The first of 

 these inform us, that the moor harrier appears to be 

 local, mosti}'' frequenting swampy moors and barren si- 

 tuations, and though rarely met with in the cultivated 

 parts, is the most common species of its ftimily about 

 the sandy flats on the coast of Caermarthenshire, where 

 it preys on young rabbits. He states, that he has seen 

 no less then nine feeding at one time upon the carcass 

 of a sheep. It also, he says, feeds on frogs, lizards, 

 worms, and even the larger insects ; but is by no 

 means a bird of rapid flight, and therefore pounces its 

 prey on the ground, for which purpose it is general- 

 ly seen skimming along like the common harrier. M. 

 Temminck states, that it resides in the neighbourhood 

 of marshes, rivers, and lakes, is very abundant in Hol- 

 land, but rare in Switzerland and the south of Europe, 

 migrates in autumn, and feeds on water-fowl, frogs, 

 mice, slugs, and sometimes fish. Mr Selby's account 

 of its manners is similar. 



Moor buzzards frequent the extensive rabbit links or 

 downs of Gulan in East Lothian, and are occasionally 

 captured in traps set by the warren keepers. A full 

 grown specimen, of a hen bird, in fine plumage, having 

 been caught by one leg, was preserved alive by Mr 

 Yule of Lufi^ness Mill, and sent to Edinburgh to Dr 

 Neill. The leg had been broken, but, having been 

 bandaged, was soon completely healed. The bird con- 

 tinued a good many months in confinement, and was in 

 a great measure tamed, approaching and snatching meat 

 from the hand ; when, having been allowed a consider- 

 able degree of liberty, it made off, and after being ob- 

 served in the neighbourhood for a day or two, finally 



