162 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



maritime or inland are generally in the upper 

 half of the "fall," though in a precipice com- 

 posed of slopes and sheer faces, one of the lower 

 bluffs is often patronized ; and most of them are 

 placed on the spacious platform at the base of, and 

 behind, some dwarfed tree or bush clinging more 

 or less projectingly to the crags. A few find 

 dubious shelter on some big, unprotected ledge, 

 or a better hiding-place in a large cavernous recess. 

 In any case, a great partiality is evinced for a 

 cliff with a crop of self-sown trees springing from 

 it, or for one festooned with ivy and other vegeta- 

 tion, a bare precipice hardly ever being relished, 

 while very few nests are overhung. This quite 

 customary habit of building behind a tree on a cliff 

 may possibly be a further indication of the 

 Buzzard's branch-loving propensity, since it may 

 remind it though slightly enough, one would 

 imagine of its original trait. Eyries on almost 

 level ground amongst broken-up boulders, even 

 far out on the open moor, I have- found on several 

 occasions. Generally, however, whatever the 

 site, a secluded spot with an easterly aspect is 

 preferred to all others. 



Although Buzzards for both sexes perform 

 always make their own nest, occasionally a 

 deserted Crow's, rarely a Raven's or Kite's, serves 

 as a foundation, in which event the material 

 employed by the Buzzards is less than its wont. 

 Very exceptionally indeed a pair, possessed of 



