BIRDS OF PREY 155 



animals which constitute its prey. Nothing, however, that passes on 

 the surface escapes the keen eye of the bird. The acuteness of its 

 vision may be gathered from the fact that even from the top of a high 

 tower it can spy out so small an animal as a mouse, which, moreover, 

 is further protected by the earthy colour of its skin. 



2. The buzzard approaches its prey in rapid flight, or swoops down 

 upon it head foremost with a rushing noise. To this end, the bird is 

 provided with powerful wings, which, when expanded, measure about 

 45 inches from tip to tip. (Why must it be a rapid flyer ? Many of its 

 relations, however, surpass it in speed ; see below.) When nearing the 

 ground, it spreads its wings again, in order to check its velocity and 

 alight without shock. (Observe a pigeon when it alights.) 



3. It next proceeds to stop the prey from escaping, and to kill it. 

 To this end, it seizes it firmly with its long and powerful toes, three of 



BUZZARD SOARING. 



which are directed forwards and one backwards, its long, curved claws, 

 which are sharp and pointed as needles, piercing the body of its victim 

 like daggers. These weapons are preserved against becoming blunt by 

 balls under the toes, which prevent them from touching the ground when 

 the bird alights. 



4. The victim in its struggles may endeavour to defend itself, but its 

 efforts are of little avail against a bird of the relative size and strength of 

 the buzzard. 



5. Us feet are protected against slight bites, the upper side of the toes 

 and the anterior surface of the tarso-metatarsus being covered with 

 horny shields. Moreover, the bites of its victim, which is confused by 

 the wing strokes of its assailant, rarely strike the feet of the latter ; as a 

 J*ule, they only reach the feathers of the wing. 



6. The prey is finally despatched by a few well-directed strokes of the 



ii 



