THE BUZZARD. 147 



he soon abused by flying away into the woods. The 

 gentleman now gave up his Buzzard as lost, but in four 

 hours afterwards, he rushed into the house, followed 

 by five other Buzzards, from whose attacks he was 

 glad to seek a place of safety. After this caper he 

 became more tame and familiar than before, and so 

 attached himself to his master, as to sleep every night, 

 in his bed -room. He was always present at dinner, 

 and sat on one corner of the table. He would caress 

 his master with his head and bill, but would do this to 

 no other person. 



One day, when the gentleman rode on horseback, 

 the Buzzard followed him several miles, constantly 

 flying near him, or over his head. 



This bird did not like either dogs or cats, but was 

 not in the least afraid of them. Sometimes he had 

 battles with these animals, but always came off victo- 

 rious. To try his courage, four strong cats were col- 

 lected together in the garden with the bird, and some 

 raw meat was thrown to them. The bird beat them 

 all, so that they were glad to retreat, and then took all 

 the meat himself. 



This Buzzard had such a hatred to red caps, that he 

 would not suffer one to be on the head of any person 

 in his presence. And he was so expert at taking them 

 off, that the laborers in the field, who wore them, 

 ' often found themselves bare-headed, without knowing 

 what became of their caps. He now and then would 

 also snatch away wigs, without doing the wearer any 

 other injury than stealing his property. These caps 

 and wigs, he always carried into a tree, the tallest in 

 the neighbourhood, which was the place where he 

 deposited all his stolen goods. 



