Buzzard. RAPTORES. BUTEO. 57 



LIN ; and found to extend as far north as the 57th parallel 

 of Latitude. It is described, and beautifully figured, in the 

 second volume of the Fauna Boreali- Americana. It is also an 

 inhabitant of the Madeiras ; from whence I have seen speci- 

 mens, agreeing in every respect with our own. 



The Buzzard is found to vary greatly in plumage, and has 

 consequently been multiplied, by some ornithologists, into se- 

 veral species, as will appear by a reference to the synonyms. 

 I have constantly endeavoured to verify the several varieties 

 that have come under my examination, by comparison with 

 the descriptions and figures given by different ornithological 

 writers ; and amongst the varieties that have thus occurred, 

 I may enumerate the Ash-coloured Buzzard of Latham and 

 Edwards *, and one of a uniform reddish-brown colour. 



Plate 6. Figure of the natural size. 



Cere and irides lemon-yellow. Bill bluish-black ; broad General 



uGScrio* 

 at the base, but much compressed towards the tip ; with tion. 



the cutting edge of the upper mandible distinctly si- 

 nuated. Crown of the head and upper parts of the 

 body hair-brown, inclining to broccoli-brown, the mar- 

 gins of the feathers edged with yellowish -white and yel- 

 lowish-brown. Chin and throat white, with a few brown 

 streaks upon the shafts of the feathers. Breast yellow- 

 ish-white, Avith oblong brown streaks, which upon the 

 belly become small and arrow-shaped. First four pri- 

 mary quills deeply notched, the basal part of the inner 

 webs white, with brownish-black bars ; the rest of the 

 quills, and the secondary ones, barred with shades of 

 brown. Third, fourth, and fifth quills having their 

 outer webs strongly sinuated. Sides and thighs dark 

 dove-brown, the feathers edged with white and yellow- 

 ish-brown. Tail square, with about twelve blackish- 

 brown bars. Legs and toes yellow. The front of the 



• Mr SwAiNsoN thinks that Mr Edward's bird refers to the Gyrfalcoti 

 in the young state, and has quoted it as such. 



