Buzzarps. RAPACES. FALCO. 19 
The eggs are two or three in number, larger than those of 
a hen, and are white, either plain, or spotted with reddish- 
brown. The young, according to PENNANT, remain in com- 
pany with the parent birds for some time after having quitted 
the nest,—a circumstance at variance with the “cata habits 
of birds of prey. It is common in all the wooded. parts of 
Europe, and, according to TEMMINckK, very abundant in 
Holland. In France, this bird is killed during the winter 
for the sake of its flesh, which is esteemed delicious eating. 
The Buzzard is found to vary greatly in plumage, and has Varieties. 
consequently been multiplied, by some ornithologists, into se- 
veral species, as will appear by a reference to the synonymes. 
I have constantly endeavoured to verify the several varieties 
that have come under my examination, by comparison with 
the descriptions and figures given by different ornithological 
writers; and amongst the varietics that have thus occurred, 
I may enumerate the Ash-coloured Buzzard of Latuam and 
Epwarps, and one of a uniform reddish-brown colour. 
Puate 6. Figure of the natural size. Cere and irides lemon- General 
yellow. Bill bluish-black. Crown of the head and ome 
upper parts of the body hair-brown, inclining to broc- 
coli-brown, the margins of the feathers cdeed: with yel- 
lowish-white and neloee: brown. Chin and _ throat 
white, with a few brown streaks upon the shafts of the 
feathers. Breast yellowish-white, with oblong brown 
streaks, which upon the belly become small and arrow- 
shaped. First four primary quills deeply notched, the 
basal part of the inner webs white, with brownish-black 
bars; the rest of the quills, and the secondary ones, 
barred with shades of brown. Sides and thighs dark 
clove-brown, the feathers edged with white and yellowish- 
brown. ‘Tail with about twelve blackish-brown bars. 
Legs and toes yellow. 
BQ 
