346 THE BUZZARD 



the viper, although a bite from the latter has been death 

 to the Buzzard occasionally. A Buzzard was once 

 found dead on its nest with a viper lying under his body. 

 The bird had carried it there to devour. This is a gentle 

 looking creature, yet when hard pressed by hunger- 

 madly ravenous, it has been known to attack an ox. 

 Humans are apt to become desperate under similar 

 circumstances. 



Said Butler in " Hudibras " : 



" He'd prove a buzzard is no fowl, 

 And that a lord may be an owl." 



There is a good deal of variation observable in the 

 colouring of the Buzzard, inclining sometimes to whitish, 

 sometimes to brown or even to blackish. With its thick- 

 set body, this bird of prey exceeds the Raven in size. 

 Its constant distinguishing marks are these : The cere 

 at the base of the bill, and the legs, which are bare of 

 feathers, are yellow ; the nostrils are oval ; the iris grey 

 or brown. The shafts of the primaries and secondaries 

 are white. The tail is crossed by seventeen dark bands, 

 and appears fore-shortened. The bill is curved and 

 hooked. The nest is built in the loftiest beeches and 

 oaks. Three to four eggs form the clutch. They are 

 rarely white, more often clouded w T ith dirty-yellow on a 

 lighter ground. 



