110 FALCOMDJE. 



courage, as compared with others of the Falconidce, has been 

 questioned ; since it is known to attack such animals as are 

 either young or defenceless, which it does not pursue in 

 flight but seizes upon the ground. Though occasionally 

 seen soaring in the air in circles, it is more frequently 

 observed stationed on a tree, from which if approached it 

 starts out with a confused and hurried flight, indicative of 

 fear. In such cases it has probably been resting after its 

 meal, and Sir William Jardine states that he has known the 

 same station taken up day after day, and hours spent by the 

 bird in motionless repose. If not suddenly disturbed when 

 roused from its perch, or during the season of incubation, 

 says the same observer, " the flight is slow and majestic ; the 

 birds rise in easy and graceful gyrations, often to an 

 immense height, uttering occasionally their shrill and 

 melancholy whistle. At this time, to a spectator under- 

 neath, and in particular lights, they appear of immense 

 size ; the motions of the tail when directing the circles may 

 be plainly perceived, as well as the beautiful markings on 

 it and on the wings, sometimes rendered very plain and 

 distinct by the body being thrown upwards and the light 

 falling on the clear and silvery tints of the base of the 

 feathers. The Buzzard is a fine accompaniment to the 

 landscape, whether sylvan or wild and rocky." 



Macgillivray also gives the Buzzard a character for great 

 activity ; but the nature of the country where he observed 

 it may require greater exertion to ensure a sufficient supply 

 of food. In Scotland it generally forms its nest on rocks, or 

 on the edges of steep scars or beds of torrents : one nest 

 described by the writer last named was placed in such a 

 situation and was composed of twigs, heather, wool and 

 other substances. A nest seen by Wolley was built into the 

 roots of a mountain-ash, between the trunk and the rock, 

 and made of heather- stalks lined with Luzula. Another 

 visited by him was on the horizontal bough of a Scotch-fir, 

 and the year before had been occupied by a Kite ; but in all 

 the nests described by him the Luzula formed part of the 

 lining. In England the Buzzard usually builds, or takes to, 



