40 KOr<;ii-LK(;<ii-;n 



as having been met with in Northmnberland, in the winter of 

 the year 1815; others in East Lothian, in 1823, and one 

 near Alnwick, in March, 1828. In Devonshire two have been 

 killed near Dartmoor; one at Egg Buckland, in Xovember, 

 1836. Mr. Doubleday has mentioned more than fifty specimens 

 taken in one rabbit warren, in the comity of Norfolk. 



This bird frequents the more wooded parts of the open countrv, 

 and, if undisturbed, will continue to resort at night to the 

 same tree, or the same wood, to roost. 



The Bough-legged Buzzard remains in this country through- 

 out the whole of the year, at least some individuals have been 

 met with both in summer and winter. It is migratory like 

 the species described in the preceding article, and, as there 

 mentioned, even accompanies it in its movements, but whether 

 its flights on those occasions are long or short complete 

 expatriations, or mere local removes, or Miittings,' to use a not 

 inappropriate Yorkshire word, is a matter which at present 

 cannot be pronounced upon with certainty. They do not always 

 accompany the more extensive caravans of Common Buzzards, 

 bat sometimes keep to themselves in small flocks of from three 

 to five. 



It would appear that this species is more nocturnal than others 

 of the Falcon family in seeking its prey sometimes hawking 

 even until long after sunset, a fact which, in connection with 

 the looseness and softness of its plumage, has not unnaturally 

 suggested an approximation to the Owl tribe. But, inasmuch 

 as the Harriers approach still nearer to them in another respect, 

 if it is to be linked with them, it must be by means of an 

 imaginary loop the links of the direct chain being broken, 

 or rather superseded. That a real natural bond of union, so 

 to call it, does exist from the highest to the lowest animal 

 in the scale of creation, is without doubt to be received as 

 true, but even with the materials to his hand, how short- 

 sighted is man to trace it how utterly blind a mere wanderer 

 in darkness, while all around him is light. 



The flight of the species before us is, like that of the 

 Common Buzzard, slow and stealthy. The bird is easy on 

 the wing, and passes much of its time in hawking for its 

 food, though it does not continue long at once in the air. 

 Sometimes, however, it will remain for a considerable time 

 stationary in a tree, doubtless for the same reason that actuates 

 its predecessor (in this work.) In the breeding season it has 

 also the like habit of soaring aloft over and around its eyrie. 



