38 FALCONIM. 



(wasp- eating) ; for it destroys more wasps than bees, and 

 more larvae than honey. In Great Britain it does not 

 rank among the rarest of birds, but is far from common, 

 and is a summer visitor only. It is not a bird of any 

 great power of flight, seldom taking to wing except from 

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

 but more frequently running along the ground with great 

 rapidity. Consequently, the only birds that it has the 

 power of mastering are such as have no greater facility of 

 flight than itself, namely, the young of Partridges, Phea- 

 sants, and Quails. It is a diligent insect hunter, and 

 makes great havoc of the nests of wasps and wild bees, 

 killing the perfect insects, and tearing the combs to 

 pieces in quest of grubs, which probably form the prin- 

 cipal food of its young. Several instances occur of its 

 having bred in England, the nest being placed in a large 

 tree, flat, and composed of twigs, and lined with leaves 

 and wool A member of the Berwickshire Naturalists' 

 Club, who kept one tame in his garden, says that in cap- 

 tivity it feeds on small birds, rats, and frogs. It is very 

 fond of the honeycomb of the wild bee, and when 

 hungry will swallow large pieces of the comb, containing 

 the grub or larvae ; but, when its appetite is not very 

 keen, it usually separates the cells, extracts the grubs, 

 and throws the wax away. When any honey has been 

 dropped on the ground, the bird has been seen repeatedly 

 to thrust its bill into the earth where it appeared to be 

 moistened by the honey. Of all the birds of prey, this 

 Honey Buzzard seems to have been the gentlest, the 

 kindest, and the most capable of attachment. It would 

 follow its master round the garden, cowering and shaking 

 its wings, though not soliciting food, uttering at the same 

 time a plaintive sound, something like the whistle of the 

 Golden Plover, but softer and much more prolonged. 

 Though shy with strangers, it was very fond of being 

 noticed and caressed by those to whose presence it was 



