412 



FAMILY FALCONIDJE ; BUZZARDS, HARRIERS. 



rabbits, reptiles, and insects. The Common Buzzard (Fig. 215) 

 is an inhabitant of all the wooded countries of Europe, and of the 

 adjacent parts of Asia ; and it is also found in the fur countries 

 of North America. It is a Bird of considerable strength and 

 size ; but of no great courage. It usually looks out for its victims 

 from the branch of a tree, on which it perches; and when it per- 

 ceives its prey, it takes wing, gliding rapidly and silently on its 

 victim. It usually builds its nest in a tall tree, selecting the 

 most retired part of the wood ; and it defends its young with 

 great resolution. The Honey Buzzard, belonging to a different 



genus from the pre- 

 ceding, is remarkable 

 for the peculiar cha- 

 racter of its food, 

 from which its name 

 is derived. This does 

 not consist of honey, 

 however ; but of the 

 larvEe of bees, wasps, 

 caterpillars, and other 

 insects, not to the 

 exclusion of moles, 

 rats, small birds, rep- 

 tiles, and slugs. It 

 is a very rare Bird 

 in Britain ; but it is 

 more common in the 

 warmer countries of 

 Europe, where it is migratory ; and it is also found in Asia. 

 It flies low, and runs on the ground with great celerity. 



375. The Harriers differ from the Buzzards in the greater 

 length and slenderness of the tarsi ; and in the inferior robust- 

 ness of their bodies, and the length of the wings and tail. The 

 plumage is soft, and of looser texture than in most of the Fal- 

 conidse ; and the feathers round the face are so disposed, as to 

 form a sort of ruff, analogous to the disk which is so conspicuous in 

 the Owls. The Harriers are more active, and more constantly 



FIG. 216. HONEY BUZZARD. 



I 



