BUZZARD. RAPTORES. BUTEO. 57 



LIN ; and found to extend as far north as the 57th parallel 

 of Latitude. It is described, and beautifully figured, in the 

 second volume of the Fauna Boreali-Americana. It is also an 

 inhabitant of the Madeiras ; from whence I have seen speci- 

 mens, agreeing in every respect with our own. 



The Buzzard is found to vary greatly in plumage, and has 

 consequently been multiplied, by some ornithologists, into se- 

 veral species, as will appear by a reference to the synonyms. 

 I have constantly endeavoured to verify the several varieties 

 that have come under my examination, by comparison with 

 the descriptions and figures given by different ornithological 

 writers ; and amongst the varieties that have thus occurred, 

 I may enumerate the Ash-coloured Buzzard of LATHAM and 

 EDWAKDS *, and one of a uniform reddish-brown colour. 



PLATE 6. Figure of the natural size. 



Cere and irides lemon-yellow. Bill bluish-black ; broad General 

 at the base, but much compressed towards the tip ; with 

 the cutting edge of the upper mandible distinctly si- 

 nuated. Crown of the head and upper parts of the 

 body hair-brown, inclining to broccoli-brown, the mar- 

 gins of the feathers edged with yellowish -white and yel- 

 lowish-brown. Chin and throat white, with a few brown 

 streaks upon the shafts of the feathers. Breast yellow- 

 ish-white, with oblong brown streaks, which upon the 

 belly become small and arrow-shaped. First four pri- 

 mary quills deeply notched, the basal part of the inner 

 webs white, with brownish-black bars ; the rest of the 

 quills, and the secondary ones, barred with shades of 

 brown. Third, fourth, and fifth quills having their 

 outer webs strongly sinuated. Sides and thighs dark 

 clove-brown, the feathers edged with white and yellow- 

 ish-brown. Tail square, with about twelve blackish- 

 brown bars. Legs and toes yellow. The front of the 



Mr SWAINSON thinks that Mr EDWARD'S bird refers to the Gyrfakon 

 in the young state, and has quoted it as such. 



