BIRDS OF PREY. 49 



lMit brown ; the rest of the under part of the body is white, with a few brown spots. The large 

 eyes are surmounted with a ring of wool-like down, and the cheek-stripes are covered with bristles ; 

 the eye is yellow, the beak blueish black, and the cere and feet light blue. The young differ but 

 slightly from the adult birds. 



Until the beginning of the present century this Buzzard was almost entirely unknown, but it is 

 now met with throughout all the countries of Southern Europe. Its habitat, however, extends 

 beyond that continent ; indeed, it often wanders far into Northern Africa, and Jerdon mentions it as 

 common in India. In Central Europe it is a summer bird, appearing about May, and departing earl)' 

 in the autumn ; its disposition is extremely quiet and indolent, and as it usually prefers to seek sheltei 

 in the recesses of forests, is not very frequently seen ; in Hindostan, on the contrary (where it 

 breeds), it inhabits the more open country, whether the latter be dry or marshy. In Northern Africa 

 it flies about during the winter in parties of from six to twelve, often settling on such rocks as are near 

 rivers, but more generally upon the open and barren steppes ; it has also been known to breed in 

 North-western Africa. The Snake Buzzards, according to our own experience, although quiet and 

 idle, are exceedingly quarrelsome while occupied with the care of their young ; at other times they 

 are remarkably timid, and often utter loud cries if disturbed. Those we saw in Africa would remain 

 perched when we approached, and glower at us with their large eyes in a most unearthly manner, 

 without attempting to save themselves by flight. It is only early in the morning and late in the 

 evening that they are seen upon trees, the entire day being spent in searching after prey. While 

 thus employed nothing can exceed the deliberation with which- they move ; indeed, it would be 

 difficult to find in any other members of the feathered race such a picture of indolence as they 

 present, while they sit motionless at the edge of the water, or flap their way ponderously through the 

 air. Towards its own kind this bird exhibits many most unamiable qualities, for so greed)' and 

 envious is it, that should one of its brethren prove fortunate in the chase, a hard-fought battle is sure 

 to ensue, in order to compel the possessor of the coveted morsel ignominiously to resign its prize, 

 and during such encounters the combatants often use their claws with so much effect that, powerless 

 to fly, both fall together to the ground. About noon the Snake Buzzard appears upon the river 

 banks, over which it hops much after the fashion of the Raven. An isolated tree is usually selected 

 for a sleeping-place, as from such a situation the bird can command a view of the surrounding country. 



The food of this species consists principally of reptiles, though it also devours large quantities of 

 fish, which, should the water be shallow, it readily obtains ; according to Jerdon, it also consumes 

 rats, small birds, crabs, and the larger kinds of insects. The manner in which this bird gives battle 

 to serpents has been thus described : " A young individual in my possession," says Mecklenburg, 

 " would dart down upon any snake, however large or fierce, and after seizing it with its claws behind 

 the head, bite it vigorously several times through the nape ; the reptile, thus paralysed, was then 

 swallowed by degrees, commencing with the head, each new mouthful being prepared by a pre- 

 liminary bite through the backbone. During one forenoon I have seen my bird kill and devour 

 no fewer than three large snakes, one of which measured nearly three feet, and was very thick. 

 I have never known an instance in which it tore its prey to pieces before swallowing it. The scales 

 were usually cast up again undigested." Elliot mentions having seen one of these Buzzards com- 

 pletely enveloped in the folds of a huge poisonous snake, the head of which, however, was held so 

 firmly in the bird's beak, that all its efforts to free itself were fruitless. The thick coat of feathers in 

 which this species is enveloped is its only protection against the deadly fangs of its victims ; recent 

 experiments have proved that its system is not, as was once supposed, proof against their poison. 



The eyrie of the Snake Buzzard is built about June ; it is flat in shape, and formed of branches 

 and twigs ; the interior js lined with green leaves, and green branches are also fastened outside to 

 vot, 11, — 46 



