7 



6. BUTEO. COMMON BUZZARD. PUTTOCK. 



F. Supra fusco ferrugineoque subtus albo ferrugineo- 

 que variuSy cera pedibusque luteis, cauda fusco 

 Jasciata. Shaw. 



The bill is lead colour, the cere, feet, and irides are 

 pale yellow. Plumage, above ferruginous brown, 

 beneath, yellowish white, spotted with brown ; the 

 tail is barred with black and ash colour, and tipped 

 with brownish white. Weight 28oz. length 22 in- 

 ches. 



Varies much in colour, irides sometimes grey. 



The buzzard feeds on the smaller birds, mice, and 

 frogs ; but never pursues its prey on the wing. 



The nest is constructed with small branches of 

 trees, and lined with wool ; the female lays two or 

 three dirty white eggs, spotted with rust colour. 



Montagu observes that the more generous hawks kill 

 their prey by eating the head first ; while the cowardly spe- 

 cies, especially Buzzards, begin eating indiscriminately any 

 part of their prey. 



Our specimens, in a domestic state, were observed to hide 

 their food when satisfied, like the magpie. 



