( i8 ) 



FALCON. 



SPE. VI. WOOD BUZZARD. 



PI. 6. 



Falco buteo. Lin. Syji.l. p. 127. 

 La Bufe. Bri/. Orn. I. p. 406. 



This bird is two feet in length ; in breadth four feet j and in weight, two 

 pounds and a half: the bill is lead colour ; cere yellow : eyes, in young birds, 

 brown ; but in the old ones, of a pale yellow : the body above is of a rufty 

 brown ; beneath, dull white, varied and blotched with brown: the tail is brown, 

 barred with a darker colour ; the under part of it greyifh : legs yellow. The 

 young of this fpecies, as well as thofe of the others of this genus, vary much in 

 colour, in their approaches to the adult ftate. 



This is a very common fpecies, frequenting the woods, and breeding in vari- 

 ous parts of England. It frequently takes pofleffion of a crow's neft, which it 

 enlarges, and lines with foft materials, and lays two or three eggs. It feeds on 

 hares, rabbits, rats, and mice j fometimes on birds. It is a fluggifh and in- 

 aftive bird, remaining for hours perched on the fame bough, watching for prey; 

 and when filled, it is to be found near the fame place. 



For the figure of the egg, fee Fl, II. Fig. i. 



