72 HONEY BUZZARD. 



extinct if proper protection is not afforded it. A few pairs 

 breed in Wales and Scotland. 



Haunts. Woodland districts near rivers. 



Observation. Note pointed wings and forked tail. 



Plumage. Head and neck white, streaked with blackish; 

 upper parts reddish brown, feathers having paler edges. Pri- 

 maries blackish. Tail rufous brown, and very forked ; under 

 parts rusty red, streaked longitudinally with brown ; under 

 wings whitish, with dark patch conspicuous in flight. Bill 

 horn-colour. Cere and legs yellow. Length 25 in. Female, 

 rather larger and duller ; tail not so forked. Young, paler, and 

 more mottled above and below. 



Language. A shrill " whew-heh-heh-heh." 



Habits. Flight powerful, rapid, and gliding. Fond of soar- 

 ing at a vast height. The tail is incessantly brought into 

 action, performing the function of a rudder. Although mainly 

 a carrion-eater, it will pounce upon and kill small mammals, 

 birds, &c. 



Food. Carrion, garbage, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and 

 fish. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. Usually in some tall tree ; occasionally on a ledge of 

 a cliff. 



Materials. Sticks and all kinds of rubbish ; lined with 

 wool, moss, <fec. 



Eggs. Two or three. Dull bluish white, spotted and 

 blotched with reddish brown ; much like the Buzzard's. 



Genus PERNIS. 

 HONEY BUZZAKD (Pernis apivorus). 



Migrant ; May to November. Nowadays very rare, and will 

 continue so as long as British collectors give fabulous prices 

 for their skins or eggs. 



Plumage. Head ash-grey ; upper parts brown. Tail greyish 

 brown, with three dark bands ; under parts white, barred and 

 spotted with reddish brown. Feathers of lores close and scale- 

 like. Beak rather feeble, and greyish brown. Cere and legs 

 yellow. Length 20 in. Female, rather larger and browner. 

 Young, rather paler ; immature plumage rather variable. 



Language. A shrill " kee-kee-kee " ; rather silent. 



Habits. It is chiefly an insectivorous bird, and the scale- 

 like feathers of the lores are practically impervious to an 

 insect's sting an admirable provision. It runs more freely 

 than other birds of this family. Flight heavy. In disposition 

 it is sedentary and spiritless. 



