52 THE BUZZARD. 



backwards and forwards, up and down, in a semicircle, trying each time at the bottom 

 of the curve to strike its large relative. The Carrancha takes little notice, except 

 by bobbing its head." The cry of the Carrancha is very peculiar, and is thought 

 to resemble the popular name which has consequently been given to the bird. While 

 uttering the strange, rough sounds, the Carrancha gradually raises its head, bending it 

 farther and farther backwards, until at last the top of its head almost touches the 

 back of its neck. This habit is obser\"ed in other Caracaras. By sailors, and other 

 imaginative persons, the cry of the Carrancha is thought to resemble that of the 

 English rook, and the bird is in consequence denominated by them the Mexican 

 Crow. The similitude is increased by the dark colour of the plumage and the 

 character of the flight, which bears a considerable resemblance to that of the crows and 

 rooks. 



The Carrancha, although persecuted by the Chimango, is in its turn a persecutor, 

 chasing the Zopilote for the same reason that the Bald Eagle chases the Osprey, and 

 forcing it to disgorge the food which it had swallowed. Besides carrion, the Carrancha 

 eats young lambs, many of the smaller mammalia, reptiles, and various insects, and 

 is indeed a very general feeder. Sometimes it will pursue and devour the smaller birds, 

 and has been observed to secure a partridge on the wing, after urging a rather lengthened 

 chase on the ground. It is also in the habit of frequenting the sea-shore, and feeding on 

 the fish, crabs, molluscs, and other edible substances that are found between high and low 

 water, or are flung upon the beach by the waves. Besides all these articles of diet, it 

 feeds much on eggs during the breeding season, taking them from the nests with great 

 audacity and cunning. 



Although seen in considerable numbers when attracted by a dead animal, or other 

 prey, the Carrancha is not a gregarious bird, being seen solitary or in pairs in desert 

 places. Under the name of the Mexican Eagle, this bird is embroidered on the banners 

 of the Mexican Government. 



The common Buzzard is one of our handsomest Ealconidse, and is one which, 

 although banished from the greater part of England, is still found i)lentifully in many 

 parts of Scotland and Ireland. 



The plumage of this bird is looser and more downy than is seen in the generality of 

 the hawk-tribe, and bears a certain resemblance to that of the owl. This peculiarity 

 is explained by the habits of the bird, which will presently be narrated. The average 

 length of a Buzzard is from twenty to twenty-two inches, and the tinting of its plumage 

 is extremely variable, even in adult birds. The usual colouring is as follows. The back 

 and whole of the upper surface is a rich brown, becoming lighter on the head and 

 neck, and diversified with longitudinal streaks of the darker hue. The tail is also 

 dark-brown, but is varied with stripes of a lighter colour, and the primary feathers 

 of the wings are nearly black. The under portions of the body are grey-white, marked 

 on the neck, and chest, and abdomen, with spots and streaks of brown. The claws 

 are black, the bill is a deep blue-black, and the legs, toes, and ears are yellow. 



In its habits the Buzzard is a very sluggish bird, never engaging in open chase 

 like the true falcons, but pouncing suddenly and unexpectedly on its prey. The use 

 of the soft downy plumage is now apparent. The Buzzard, in seeking its food, sails 

 slowly over the ground at no great elevation, surveying every spot in search of some 

 living object. At the sight of any eatable being, whether it be rat, mouse, bird, or 

 reptile, down comes the Buzzard, and bears off the doomed creature in its claws, before 

 its victim has taken the least alarm at the presence of its destroyer. The noiseless 

 passage through the air is caused by the down-edged feathers, by which the Buzzard is 

 clothed. Sometimes it sits upon a branch, keeping a vigilant watch, and keenly 

 eyeing every passing creature. Whenever a desirable bird or animal passes within 

 easy reach, the Buzzard darts from its post, and after seizing its prey, returns to the 

 same spot, and recommences its watch. This custom is singularly like the weU-known 

 habits of the common fly-catcher. 



As, from its comparatively short wings and inactive temperament, the Buzzard is 



