THE COMMON BUZZARD. 35 



to take its station on seme withered branch, or on the pro- 

 jecting corner of a rock, whence it can both obtain a good 

 view of the surrounding country, and, when it has digested 

 its last meal, sally forth in quest of a new one as soon as a 

 victim comes within its range of observation. It pounces 

 on this while on the ground, and pursues its chase with a 

 low skimming flight, keeping a sharp look-out for moles, 

 young hares and rabbits, mice, reptiles, small birds and 

 insects. At times it rises high into the air, and, soaring 

 in circles, examines the surface of the ground for carrion. 

 It has neither the spirit nor daring of the noble Falcons, 

 submitting patiently to the attacks of birds much less than 

 itself, and flying from the Magpie or Jackdaw. As an 

 architect the Buzzard displays no more constructive skill 

 than other birds of its tribe, building its nest of a few 

 sticks, either on a rock or in a tree, and not unfrequently 

 occupying the deserted nest of some other bird. It has, 

 however, a redeeming point, being a most assiduous nurse. 

 The female sits close, and will allow the near approach 

 of an intruder before she leaves her eggs. In captivity, 

 strange to say, though by nature having a strong inclina- 

 tion for the flesh of chickens, she has been laiown to sit on 

 the eggs of the domestic hen, to hatch a brood, and to rear 

 them with as much solicitude as their natural mother could 

 have shown, distributing to them morsels of raw meat, not 

 comprehending, of course, their repugnance to such fare, 

 and bearing with extreme patience and good humour their 

 unaccountable preference for barley and crumbs of bread. 

 The male bird is scarcely less affectionate as a parent : an 

 instance being recorded of one, which, on the death of 

 his partner, completed the period of incubation and reared 

 the young brood by himself. The Buzzard rarely molests 

 game, and more than compensates for the mischief 

 it does work, by the destruction of undoubted vermin ; 

 yet the hostility shown by gamekeepers against all birds 

 except those which it is their business to protect, has so 



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