EAGLES AND EAGLE-LIKE BIRDS. 151 



Wales ; central and western Scotland ; practically 

 extinct in Ireland. Everywhere rare, but less so 

 and more generally diffused at times of migration. 



With the large, heavy build of the Buzzard, the 

 dash and agility of the Falcons have vanished. A 

 full-bodied, broad-tailed bird, it perches lethargically 

 for prolonged periods on some dead branch or on a 

 mound ; and even when active, as when it soars high 

 in air, it recalls by its |[^slow, majestic circllngs the 

 staider ways of the larger birds of prey, such as 

 Eagles, Vultures, and Kites. The Buzzard is a bird 

 of forest-clad and mountainous country, and is still to 

 be found as a breeding species in the Lake District, 

 and in parts of Wales and Scotland, the nest being 

 placed in a tree or on a rocky ledge. It preys upon 

 mice, reptiles, and, more rarely, small birds, which it 

 captures by dropping upon them either from a perch 

 or as it beats over the ground. Birds of this species — 

 generally young ones — are to be met in many parts 

 of the country during migration. The cry, usually 

 emitted as the bird circles high in air, is a melancholy 

 mewing note. 



COMMON or RED KITE.— Plate 69. Length, 

 25 inches. General colour above brown, with ruddier 

 edges to the feathers ; darker on lower back, but 

 tail ruddy, long, and deeply forked ; flight-feathers 

 blackish ; head and neck whitish, with dark streaks ; 

 under parts red-brown, streaked longitudinally with 

 darker brown ; bill dark and hooked ; feet yellow. 

 Resident. 



