HARRIERS. 627 



in her nest ; these she killed, evidently feeling that she was not 

 allied to them by any maternal tie. 



The principal species are the Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris), 

 Fig. 298, which is found all over Europe it was until lately 

 very common in England ; the Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), 

 a native of Eastern Europe this bird is partial to bees, wasps, 

 and their larvae, of which its food principally consists it will also 

 eat grain, and, in a domestic state, fruit ; and the Rough-legged 

 Buzzard (Archibuteo lag opus), so called on account of the feathers 

 which cover its tarsi down to the toes : it is a native of Europe, 



Fig. 298. Common Buzzards (Buteo vulgaris). 



North Africa, Asia, and America. Ptarmigans are their principal 

 food, and cold climates their favourite habitat. 



T^he birds which belong to the HARRIER genus are characterised 

 by long and slender tarsi, covered with feathers on the upper 

 portion only, and also by a sort of collar formed of closely-planted 

 leathers, which surrounds the neck and extends on each side 

 to the ears. Marshy plains, and woods situated in the vicinity 

 of rivers, are their most frequent resorts. They build their nests 

 on the ground, or close to it, in the brushwood, and in this respect 

 differ from most of the Falcon family. When searching for their 



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