120 GYRFALCON AND GENTIL FALCON. 



in defect of better food, will devour even toads and frogs. 

 These birds generally build their nests on the ground, 

 and lay three or four white eggs, which are somewhat 

 smaller in size than those of a hen. 



Their usual length is about two feet. The head, neck, 

 and under parts of the body are whitish. The back, 

 wings, and a stripe on each side of the neck, are dark 

 brown. The legs are bluish ; and the wings, when 

 closed, reach beyond the end of the tail. These birds 

 are found in various parts of Europe, Asia, and America, 

 and are occasionally seen even in England. 



Buzzard. Of a sluggish and inactive disposition, 

 this bird, which is a native of the woods of many parts 

 of England, will sometimes continue, for several suc- 

 cessive hours, perched upon the bough of a tree, and 

 will not leave it, unless enticed so to do, by the near 

 approach of prey. On the continent, it is very destruc- 

 tive in the poultry-yards. Its chief food consists of 

 small birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects. The 

 Buzzards build their nests in trees, and generally lay 

 two or three eggs, which are spotted with yellow. The 

 male partakes with the female, in the task of rearing the 

 offspring. 



The length of the Buzzard is about twenty inches. Its 

 plumage is dusky on the upper parts, and whitish, varied 

 with brown, beneath. The wings and tail are marked 

 with bars of a darker hue. The tail is greyish beneath, 

 and tipped with dusky white. The bill is lead-coloured, 

 the legs are yellowish, and the claws black. 



Gyr "falcon and Gentil Falcon. In former times, the 

 sport of falconry was probably more pursued amongst 



