BIRDS OF PllEY. 237 



the temperature, we always have some coming and 

 others going, as regular visitants, while a side wind 

 is also now and then bringing an occasional stranger, 

 to show us that after we have exhausted the knowledge 

 of all our own, there are stores for us in other lands. 

 There is one circumstance that in itself would show 

 that the number of our birds (we speak of land birds) 

 is at all seasons pretty nearly the same, and that is 

 that the number of British birds of prey is very much 

 the same at all seasons. There are two species of 

 eagles properly so called, which, though they shift 

 their quarters in the extreme of the season, do not 

 move far from their nesting places. Including the 

 osprey and the honey buzzard, we have eight species 

 of buzzard, only two of which do not remain constantly 

 in the country ; and of these, the honey buzzard (falco 

 apivorus) is rather a rare visitant, and seen only in the 

 south and south-east of the island, where it comes in 

 the summer, and sometimes herds. Its proper locality 

 is the eastern parts of Europe and the north of Asia, 

 where, as is the case with most birds, whether preyers 

 or prey, it is migratory. The other, the rough-legged 

 buzzard (falco lagopus) is a very powerful bird. It is 

 found in the northern countries, and also, as it is said, 

 in central Africa; but it comes to Britain from the 

 former countries ; and, therefore, is seen in the winter ; 

 and then only occasionally. Of the hawks, harriers, 

 and kites, of which there is a considerable variety, only 

 two are not stationary. The hobby (falco subbateo) 

 comes from the south in the spring and departs in 

 October. While it remains in this country it is very 

 destructive to field birds, especially to the skylark ; 



