HABITS OF THE BUZZARD. 



53 



incapable of chasing tlie swift-winged game birds, it is neA-er trained for the sport of 

 falconry, and among the ancient sportsmen was reviled as a useless and cowardly bird. 

 Like many large birds of prey, it is exceedingly liable to persecution from the vulture, hawks, 

 tlie rook and crow ; and the grey or Eoyston crow is a notable and constant antagonist. 

 "Wlien wounded or disabled from flying, the Buzzard can still maintain a stout fight, 

 and by laying itself on its back, and strildng fiercely with its sliarp and crooked talons, 

 can drive off an apjDarently superior foe. 



It is easily tamed, and is rather an amusing bird in its new state of domestic Hfe. 



One of these birds, tliat was captured in Ireland, and whose history is related 

 by Mr. Thompsou, displayed some very curious peculiarities, and afforded some insight 

 into the Buzzard natiu'e. It was 

 fond of catching mice in a barn, 



darting at them as they traversed —^ 



the floor, and striking at them 

 through the straw. In many in- 

 stances, the bii'd missed its stroke, 

 but was never discomfited, and 

 was always ready to make a 

 fresh attack. It would also catch 

 and kiU rats, but preferred mice, 

 probably because they gave it less 

 trouble. It detested strangers, 

 and used to fly fiercely at tliem 

 and knock their hats over their 

 ears, or fairly off their heads. A 

 rather remarkalile amusement in 

 which this bird indulged, was to 

 jump on its master's feet and 

 untie his shoestrings. It would 

 eat magpies and jackdaws, but 

 did not seem to care very much 

 for such diet, magi^ies being even 

 more distasteful than jackdaws. 

 On one occasion a jackdaw had 

 been shot, and fell into a mill 

 dam. The Buzzard pounced on 

 the dying bird, and grasping it 

 in his talons, held it beneath the 

 water untU it was dead. Whether 

 the act was intentional or not is 

 not certain, but as the bird re- 

 mained in so awkward a position 

 \\'ith its legs wholly immersed in 

 the water until the jackdaw was 

 quite dead, the act does not seem 

 to have been without some de- 

 finite moti-\'e. The same bird was 

 very fond of worms and grubs, and 

 used to attend upon the potato- 

 diggers, for the pui-jjose of eating 

 the subterranean insects and other creatures which are thrown up in the operation. 



The nest of tlie Buzzard is made either in some suitable tree, or upon the rocks, 

 according to the locality, and is generally composed of grass and heather stems, inter- 

 mingled with long soft roots, and lined with wool, heather leaves, and other substances. 

 One curious instance is known, where the Buzzards took a liking to a nest which had 

 been tenanted by a pair of crows for a series of years, and, after a severe contest, 



BUZZARD.— jBiiteo mlgdrin. 



