BUZZARD. 73 



RAPTORES. FALCONIDJE. 



PLATE XV. 



BUZZARD. 

 Buteo Vulgaris. 



Although included in the genus Falco of Linneus, the 

 birds of this class differ from the Eagles and Falcons in many 

 modifications of form, but still more in their character and 

 manners. Although of large size and powerful form, they 

 are cowardly and sluggish in disposition, and slow in their 

 motions. In their manner of flying they bear much resem- 

 blance to the Owls, to which they approximate also in the 

 softness and looseness of their feathers. They fly low, hardly 

 above the level of the hedges, in search of their terrestrial 

 prey ; and are seen to visit the same fields daily, and fre- 

 quently at the same hour, as if mechanically performing their 

 accustomed route. Sometimes they sit concealed among the 

 bushes watching lazily for their prey. 



This species is of common occurrence in wooded districts, 

 and in such situations it is very generally diffused throughout 

 Europe. It is indigenous in England, and remains with us 

 throughout the year. On the continent of Europe it is num- 

 bered among the birds of passage ; even in Holland it is not 

 at all times to be met with. Temminck speaks of them as 

 arriving in autumn, and remaining only part of the winter in 

 that country ; at which time they disperse themselves along 

 the downs that border the sea-coast. They migrate, he 

 observes, in small companies, associated frequently with the 



