DirilNAL BIRDS OP PRET. 



21T 



female is generally of darker hues than the male. The weight ia 

 about thirty ounces, and measures about twenty-one inches in 

 length, and four feet one inch in extent of wing. The appearance 

 of the Buzzard is exceedingly drowsy and sluggish, on account of 

 its large head, thick body, clumsy legs, and large lifeless eyes. It 

 is too heavy and indolent to hunt by flight, and therefore is com- 

 pelled to adopt another method for obtaining its subsistence. For 

 hours together it will continue motionless on a tree, bush, stone, 

 or even clod of earth, till some game passes within the reach of 

 its spring, when it will dash upon it in a moment, and then devour 



The CoDimon Buzzard. 



.t. Its ordinary fare consists of small birds, rabbits; hares, moles, 

 field-mice, lizards, frogs, toads, etc. When the buzzards have 

 their young, they overcome to a great degree their sluggish habits : 

 they become more active, and will soar to a considerable height, 

 ascending in a spiral direction. 



The female usuallymakes her nest in the fork of a tree with 



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