BUZZARDS. 



235 



light coloured. The colour of the iris varies from dark hazel to light brownish 

 yellow ; the legs and toes are yellow, and the claws black. White specimens are 

 occasionally met with. The length of the male is about 22 inches, and that of the 

 female about an inch more. The common buzzard is distributed over the greater part 

 of Europe, and is in many districts comparatively abundant. In Northern Africa 

 and Eastern Europe it is, however, replaced by the nearly-allied desert-buzzard (B. 

 desertorum), which also ranges into India ; while in Japan and China its place is 

 occupied by B. plumipes, distinguished by the greater extent to which the metatarsus 

 is feathered. This species also ranges through the Himalaya to Gilgit, and occurs 



COMMON BUZZARD (l uat. size). 



occasionally in India. America possesses another closely allied species in Swainson's 

 buzzard (B. obsoletus), ranging over the greater part of that continent. In searching 

 for their prey, which consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, buzzards 

 fly slowly and sluggishly ; and their cowardly disposition, to which allusion has 

 already been made, is exhibited by their generally selecting young or feeble animals 

 for their victims. At times, however, and especially in the breeding-season, these 

 birds will soar in circles high in the air, occasionally uttering their shrill and 

 melancholy whistle-like cry. After feeding, they usually take up their station on a 

 tree, from which, if disturbed, they fly in what appears to be a frightened manner. 

 In England, according to Professor Newton, the nest is usually in a tree ; while in 

 the more mountainous districts of Scotland preference is given to rocks. The eggs, 

 which are usually two or three, but occasionally four in number, much resemble 



