THE HONEY-BUZZARD. 133 
fFamily—F_4L CONIDA. Genus—PERNIS. 
THE Honey-BuZZARDS. 
HREE species are known of the Genus Pernis, of which one only is met 
with in the Western Palearctic Region. They are chiefly insectivorous, 
feeding largely on wasps and bees, and their grubs, scratching out the nests; they 
also devour reptiles, birds’ eggs, and young birds. Their flight is heavy, and they 
are spiritless birds. They nest in trees, and invariably line their nests with green 
leaves. Their beaks and talons are feeble, compared with those of the other 
raptores; their lores are covered with close, scale-like feathers. 
» 
Family—F AL CONIDA. 
Honey-BuZzarb. 
Pernis aptvorus, LINN. 
HIS singular bird would probably be a regular summer visitor to most of 
our large woodlands, especially to those where the beech, its favourite tree, 
is common, if only it could escape molestation; but, alas! its fate is sealed directly 
it appears, for not only is it a large Hawk, and therefore to be destroyed for the 
sake of the game, but it is also precious in the eyes of “collectors,” and its 
beautiful eggs, if they are “ British,” will command a high price. But look at 
it, and note its comparatively feeble legs and talons, its weak and slender beak ; 
they are not powerful enough to make it formidable to the game-preserver; look, 
Vor. III Y 
