190 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



but apparently ' easy-going,' when we see the bird 

 irregularly quartering the ground ; but when the Buzzard 

 wishes to get from place to place it shoots along at a 

 pace which is deceptively slow in appearance but really 

 veiy creditable, especially if we consider the small amount 

 of exertion expended by its seldom - moving wings. 

 Although less given to soaring than the Eagle, the Buzzard 

 can on occasion perform mai-vellous feats of rising to an 

 enormous height in a wide, lazy spiral, with the minimum 

 of labour. When it has eaten, it may be seen standing 

 motionless for a long time ; but this habit it shares 

 with the majority of predaceous birds, including, of 

 course, the lordly Eagle. 



Gamekeepers have waged a relentless, but what is more 

 to be regretted, a needless war on this species, for there 

 is not the slightest proof that it is detrimental to game. 

 Weakly, young, or other birds are pounced on when 

 occasion offers ; but this happens so seldom that no im- 

 portance can be attached to the fact. The Buzzard's 

 usual prey is of a lowly order for so large a bird — field- 

 mice and similar small mammals. Thus the Buzzard is 

 a friend of the farmer, and deserves protection. More- 

 over, while the mouse-hunter is quartering the fields a few 

 yards from the ground no flocks of Wood-Pigeons or other 

 agricultural pests are likely to commence their accustomed 

 depredations on vegetables and crops. Even to beetles, 

 grasshoppers, and worms does the Buzzard sometimes 

 resort for a livelihood, and at times it appears to eat 

 carrion. It is probably the fact that Buzzards may be 

 found at the carcasses of sheep which have been killed 

 by bolder robbers or perished by other mean* that has 

 given rise to the shepherd's misdirected hatred, which is 

 responsible for many a clutch of smashed eggs among 

 the hills in spring-time. 



