HONEY BUZZARD. 85 



low, from tree to tree, or skimming over the water in pursuit 

 of its prey ; sometimes it remains quietly seated on a lonely 

 tree on the outskirts of a wood, for hours at a time, with the 

 sharp scale-like feathers of the head erect, forming a sort of 

 crest, and the feathers of the body ruffled and loose. 



Besides the food already mentioned, other insects are also 

 sought for by the Honey Buzzard, and either captured on the 

 wing, or pursued upon the ground, on which it has been ob- 

 served to run swiftly. Caterpillars, worms, moths, beetles, 

 and the remains of frogs, mice, lizards, moles, &c. have been 

 found in their stomachs when dissected. 



This bird is very quick in discovering, and expert in ob- 

 taining the combs of the wasp and wild bee ; and, probably, 

 is protected from the attacks of these insects by the scale-like 

 feathers with which the lore and head are covered ; the whole 

 plumage, indeed, especially of the upper parts, is remarkably 

 firm and close. The nest of this species has usually been 

 found in the top of a high tree ; and, according to White of 

 Selbourne, is a broad structure of sticks, and lined with 

 leaves. The eggs are three or four, rather smaller than those 

 of the Buzzard ; and, according to the descriptions of Pen- 

 nant, and White of Selbourne, appear much to resemble the 

 one we have figured. Ours being from a specimen some time 

 preserved, has lost the red tinge which is commonly prevalent 

 in the markings of this and of many other species of hawks, 

 namely, the kestril, hobby, merlin, and sparrow-hawk, &c, 

 all of which lose that colour after having been some time pre- 

 served, if exposed to the light : this may be seen in the eggs 

 of some of the above mentioned species, in the collection at 

 the British Museum, in which the deep red colour has faded 

 to a pale brownish-green. If carefully kept from the light, 

 we have reason to think the colour does not change ma- 

 terially, as we have in our collection some eggs of the smaller 

 hawks, which have for six or seven years preserved their 



