158 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



lower elevation, especially when hunting. When 

 descending into or crossing a valley, the Buzzard 

 frequently half closes its wings, and, with a 

 quicker flight than usual, literally cleaves the void 

 with a mighty rush, resembling in no slight 

 degree some monster bolt, with barbs on either 

 side, hurled from a giant catapult. Seen under 

 any of these circumstances and especially when 

 floating up in spirals the Buzzard's flight is 

 hard to beat. On the other hand, when the bird 

 is flapping along, or when disturbed suddenly 

 and particularly from covert, which it leaves in a 

 frightened and laborious fashion it appears not 

 a trifle ungainly, and certainly inspires no 

 admiration. 



The Buzzard's fare chiefly consists of rabbits 

 (young ones, generally, in their season, though 

 in severe weather the old ones are taken as well), 

 moles, rats, field- voles, beetles, nearly any kind 

 of carrion, and more occasionally birds (which it 

 never flies down, but pounces upon unawares as 

 they squat on the ground) such as Grouse and 

 Partridges, and even reptiles, whilst a dead fish 

 is not ignored. With young to cater for, how- 

 ever, the old Buzzards turn their attention to that 

 which comes readiest to hand. For instance, 

 should an eyrie be adjacent to a Grouse-moor, 

 the " cheepers ' may be remorselessly harried ; 

 and in and around different nests I have found 

 Pheasant-poults, parts of an adult cock Pheasant, 



