BIRDS OF PREY. 



47 



yellow, and the eyes orange. The young birds are of an uniform dark brown upon the back, and 

 striped instead of spotted on the lower parts of the body. Gould informs us that the Spotted 

 Kite is found extensively throughout New South Wales, and that it closely resembles its European 

 congeners in its habits and mode of life. Small quadrupeds, birds, lizards, and snakes constitute its 

 principal nourishment. The nest is built upon the ground. 



The BUZZARDS {Buieones) constitute a group of somewhat heavily-constructed birds, of 

 moderate size, that are found extensively in both hemispheres, and in almost every latitude. Their 

 bodies are stout, their heads broad, thick, and flat ; they all have short beaks, which curve downwards 

 from the base, are comparatively thick at the sides, and without denticulations on the margin. Their 

 necks are short, and their wings long and rounded ; in the latter the fourth quill usually exceeds the 

 rest in length. The tail is of moderate size, the tarsi of no great height, and furnished with short, 

 weak toes, which are, however, armed with sharp and formidable talons. The plumage is more or 

 less lax, and composed of long, broad feathers, except upon the head, where they are narrow and 

 pointed, being only exceptionally prolonged into a crest. Dusky hues predominate in the coloration 

 of these birds, and their markings are numerous and very varied. 



The Buzzards frequent both mountainous and level districts, preferring, however, such situations 

 as abound in fields and woodlands. During the breeding season each pair takes up its abode in a 

 certain limited district, within which it keeps, never trenching upon the space belonging to a neigh- 

 bouring couple. Towards other members of the feathered creation they are inoffensive and peace- 

 able, and are only roused to violence should an intruder venture too close to their young family ; 

 such as inhabit the northern countries of Europe are migratory in their habits, while those found in 

 southern regions are stationary. All the various species fly slowly, more after the manner of the 

 Eagles than of the Kites ; when about to pounce upon their prey, they hover, Falcon-like, for a 

 moment in the air, and then come slowly and heavily down. Upon the ground their movements are 

 ungainly, and their step an awkward attempt at a hop. So strong and keen is the sight of these birds, 

 that they may be very properly termed " eagle-eyed ; " their hearing is also good, and their powers of 

 touch and taste well developed. 



In spite of the apparent dullness exhibited by the Buzzards, they are superior in intelligence to 

 most of their order, and scarcely deserve to be called rapacious, as when no longer hungry they rarely 

 plunder from mere love of theft ; having satisfied their appetite, they seem to trouble themselves no 

 longer about the chase. With other Birds of Prey they would willingly live upon amicable terms ; 

 towards the Screech Owl alone they exhibit a most implacable hatred. But the Buzzards themselves 

 have many tormentors, no doubt from the fact that such of their assailants as are light and active find 

 considerable amusement in following and worrying their more ponderous and unwieldy neighbours. 

 Worms, snails, larvae, and various kinds of insects, together with some kinds of vegetable food, are 

 eaten in large quantities by these birds, so that their services to the farmer are both extensive and 

 important. Rice they will readily devour, and snakes they perseveringly destroy, even if the encounter 

 necessitates considerable exertion. Their eyrie is built in high trees, and constructed in the most 

 careless manner ; the eggs are usually three or four in number, though occasionally the female lays but 

 one. The young remain for a considerable time under the care and tuition of their parents, by whom 

 they are most watchfully tended. If taken from the nest when very young, the Buzzard will become 

 so tame that it may be allowed to fly about at large. 



The SNAKE BUZZARDS (Circadti) have frequently been numbered with the Eagles under the 

 name of Snake Eagles. These are large birds, of a most peculiar type. Their bodies are slender, but 



