UZZARD^. 25 



look out, watching slaughter-houses and devouring the offal, or they will 

 track the course pursued by hunters, in the hopes of obtaining the rejected 

 portions of any animals slain. They likewise frequent the sea-shore, where 

 they eat crabs, dead fish, and other garbage thrown up by the waves. They 

 have, however, been known to kill partridges, and during the breeding season 

 they destroy the eggs of various birds. 



Their nest is commonly built upon trees or upon the ledges of rocks. The 

 female lays five or six eggs, which are pointed at one end, and of a reddish 

 brown colour, spotted with red. 



Under the name of the Mexican Eagle, the figure of the Caracara is em- 

 blazoned on the banners of the Mexican Government. 



Sub-Family II. 

 THE BUZZARDS. BUTEONIN^E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill short, broad at the base, with the culmen much 

 curved to the tip, which is acute, and the lateral margins festooned ; the cere covers 

 more than the basal half of the beak ; wings long, the third and fourth quills gene- 

 rally the longest ; tarsi lengthened, generally naked, and covered both in front and 

 behind with broad transverse scales ; toes, including the hind one, rather short. 



These birds are found in most parts of the world : they have a 

 heavy and indolent appearance, and generally inhabit woods and 

 forests. Their flight, which is sometimes performed during the 

 twilight, is easy and buoyant, and generally taken in extensive 

 sweeps over meadows and marshes, near the surface of the ground. 

 They live upon small birds, quadrupeds, and reptiles, which they 

 either seize while flying or strike upon the ground, darting upon 

 them from the top of a tree or hillock, from whence they have 

 been watching. They breed in woods, or sometimes upon rocks, 

 or on the sides of deep ravines. Their nest is composed of sticks, 

 and lined with wool, hay, and other soft materials, or occasionally 

 they will take possession of the nests of other birds. Their eggs 

 are usually two or three in number. 



The typical species — 



The Common Buzzard {Buteo* vidgaris) is met with in many parts of 

 Europe, and is well known in the British isles. It is rather an inactive bird, 

 but may be often seen soaring to a great height and sailing round in circles. 

 When in pursuit of prey, it glides over the fields at no great distance from the 

 ground, and pounces down upon any victim that may come within the range 

 of its vision. It lives upon small birds, and is most destructive to young grouse 

 and partridges ; nothing, however, seems to come amiss to its appetite, and 

 small quadrupeds, reptiles, and even earthworms, are equally acceptable, but 

 it does not often pursue feathered prey upon the wing. The buzzard is usually 



* But CO, a buzzard. 



