2764 The Zoologist — Septkmber, 1871. 



are so scarce that the opportunity may not be afforded us. The gun 

 frequently robs us of the pleasure of observing the habits of our rare birds. — 

 T. Lister ; Barnsley, June 12, 1871. 



Eagles on the Grampians. — The air was dry, the sky clear, and the sun, 

 ■which was hot and bright, lent his lustre to the wings of the eagles, who 

 •were performing, apparently for their own amusement, beautiful gyrations 

 in their old haunts. On observing us they made towards us, as if anxious 

 to ascertain what we were, or what we were about. We crouched, solilo- 

 quising, " For us you are safe. Come and see us, and we shall the better 

 see you." Our glass, a DoUond, enabled us to obtain an excellent view of 

 the eagles, who soared aloft, spreading all the wing- and tail-feathers as in 

 an extended fan. In the female one of the secondary quills was wanting, 

 which showed like a gap in the human gum. In the act of soaring the 

 wings are convex for two-thirds of their length, and showing the tips 

 reversed, so as to form a hook. We are glad that in this secluded spot the 

 bird of Jove has at last found a retreat, where neither buckshot nor baited 

 traps can do him harm. Were the example of preserving the rapacious 

 birds, which has been given by the present Marquis of Huntly, imitated 

 by all the proprietors of the Highlands, the Fauna of Scotland might still 

 be kept in statu quo. — W. Craibe Angus. 



Comuioa Buzzard nesting in DcTonshire. — The localities in England 

 where the common buzzard nests are now so few that a recent instance 

 may be worthy of record. A nestling of this year has been presented to me, 

 which was taken from a nest in a wood at Lustleigh, in Devon, where a 

 pair of buzzards have nested previously, their nest having been robbed 

 (I regret to say) both in the present and in the two preceding years. I am 

 informed that it has been observed in the locality to which I have referred, 

 that a pair of buzzards, if undisturbed, will occupy the same nest for seven 

 successive seasons. It is said that they very seldom have more than two 

 young, and often only one, and it is beUeved that when there are two young 

 they are male and female, and that when there is but one it is almost 

 always a male. I note these particulars as they have been given to me, 

 and as I think that the observations of persons on the spot, even though 

 not scientific observers, should not be neglected. — J. H. Qurney. 



Ronghleggcd Buzzard.— In remarking (Zool. S. S. 2681) that during my 

 stay in Canada I had some acquaintance with this species, it merely meant 

 that I knew enough of it to be quite sure that it could not have been 

 a roughlegged buzzard observed by Lord Clifton at Cobham. Though 

 I might readily distinguish, and at a considerable distance, too, the rough- 

 legged from the common buzzard, I could not, of course, know or dis- 

 tinguish it from the American species when seen in mid-air, nor am I sure 

 that it would not have puzzled me to do so with the skins of both before 

 me. Though referred by Mr. Reeks to his Newfoundland " Notes " (which 



