THE BUZZARDS 211 



Its plumage varies as greatly as that of the common 

 buzzard. It may be recognised by the front of 

 its legs being feathered as are those of the 

 eagle. The crown of the head is of a buffish- 

 white, with brown patches on each feather ; the 

 upper parts are dark brown, with white and reddish 

 markings, the basal half of the tail being white, 

 the rest brown and a broad black band tipped 

 with white. 



It is many years ago since I have seen either 

 the rough-legged or the common buzzard. I fear 

 they are both very scarce at the present time. 

 The last time I saw the common buzzard was on 

 the sides of Skiddaw. 



The honey buzzard, which is also a migrant, 

 though, unlike the rough-legged buzzard, it makes 

 its appearance in the spring, remaining until early 

 in the autumn, is more generally distributed over 

 the country than either of the two other varieties, 

 and has been known to breed from the New 

 Forest as far North as Aberdeenshire, in Scotland. 

 It is essentially a denizen of the woodlands, where 

 it feeds on wasp-grubs, beetles, lizards, mice, 

 frogs, and such-like creatures. The spaces between 

 the eyes and bill of this bird, which are termed 

 the lores, are covered with feathers. The upper 

 parts are brown, the under parts white, the chest 

 being barred and spotted with brown, the colour 

 of the head of an ash-gray. It is, indeed, much 

 to be hoped for and desired that in future greater 

 protection may be afforded to the buzzards than 



