86 FALCONID.E. 



The genus Pernis Avas proposed by Baron Cuvier for 

 the Honey Buzzard of Europe, to separate and distinguish it 

 from the true Buzzards, on account of its less powerful beak, 

 — the lore, or space between the beak and the eye, being 

 defended by scale-like feathers, — and the manner in which 

 the legs were plumed, or otherwise covered and protected. 



The Honey Buzzard is a rare species in this country, but 

 more frequently met with in the counties on the east coast 

 from Suffolk to Northumberland than elsewhere ; and most, 

 if not all, the specimens that have been taken have occurred 

 from spring to autumn, — which, coupled with the circumstance 

 of its food, Avhen ascertained, being almost entirely insectivo- 

 rous, has led to the supposition that this bird is only a sum- 

 mer visitor. M. Vieillot says of this species, which is not 

 common in France, that it seldom flies except from one tree 

 to another, or from bush to bush, and then always low, and 

 that it runs when on the ground with great rapidity, like our 

 common fowls, — a circumstance which is also noticed by 

 Willughby. Several specimens taken in Northumberland 

 have come under the examination of Mr. Selby of Twizel 

 House ; and some interesting observations in reference to the 

 habits of the floney Buzzard are contained in the annual 

 address of Sir William Jardine, Bart, to the Members of the 

 Berwickshire Naturalists' Club in September 1836. 



" The district around Twizel appears to have something 

 attractive to this species, for within these few years several 

 specimens have been procured both in the adult and immature 

 plumage. The bird in question was accidentally observed 

 to rise from the situation of a wasp''s nest, which it had been 

 attempting to excavate, or, in fact, to a certain extent had 

 accomplished ; and the large hole which had been scraped 

 showed that a much greater power could be employed, and 

 that the bird possessed organs much better fitted to remove 

 the obstacles which generally concealed its prey, than a super- 



