THE MOOR-BUZZARD. 



THIS bird is about twenty-one inches in 

 tength, with a black bill, and yellow eyes. 

 The whole crown of the head is of a yel- 

 lowish white, lightly tinged with brown ; the 

 throat is of a light rust colour : the rest of the 

 plumage is of a reddish brown, with pale edges ; 

 the greater wing-coverts are tipped with white ; 

 the legs are yellow, and claws black. 



Rabbits, young wild ducks, and other water- 

 fowl, are the prey of this bird : it will likewise 

 feed on fish, frogs, reptiles, and even insects. 

 Its haunts are in hedges arid bushes, near pools, 

 marshes, and rivers that abound with fish. It 

 builds its nest a little above the surface of the 

 ground, or in hillocks covered with thick herb- 

 age. Though smaller, it is more active and 

 bold than the Common Buzzard, and when pur- 

 sued, it faces its antagonist, and makes a 

 vigorous defence. 



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