RED-TAILED BUZZARD. 11 



FAM. FALCONUm (The Falcons.) 



RED-TAILED BUZZARD.* 



Oiicken Hawk. 

 Buteo borealis. 



Falco borealis, LINN. Aud. pi. 51. 



Falco Jamaicensis, GMEL. 

 Buteo borealis, BECHST. 



This Buzzard, which we learn from Wilson is 

 spread over the United States, is the most common 

 raptorial bird in Jamaica. Permanent, not migra- 

 tory, we see it all the year round, sailing delibe- 

 rately in wide circles over the pastures and ruinates, 

 now near the ground, but presently soaring into 

 the upper air, each circle higher and higher till 

 the bird is lost in the glare of a tropical sky. It is 

 common to see two individuals of this species in 

 company, sailing each in its own circle, but inter- 

 secting the other ; and as they thus fly, they utter 

 from time to time a sudden energetic cry, " pinyee." 



The frequency of this bird's depredations on the 

 poultry of the homestead, has given it a provincial 

 appellation. In the stomach of one, examined by 

 Wilson, he found, however, the remains of frogs 

 and lizards. Its courage is not proportioned to 

 its size or arms. Not long ago, near Bluefields, two 



* Length 20 inches, expanse 44^, tail 7^, flexure 1% rictus 1^, 

 tarsus 3|, middle toe l, claw 1. 



