THE COMMON BUZZARD. 

 Buteo vulgaris, Leach, 

 Plate 31. 



The days when the Buzzard could be considered common in the British Islands 

 have long since passed, though it is still a resident, but in diminishing numbers, 

 in parts of northern and western England, in Wales, central and western Scotland, 

 and the Inner Hebrides, where its plaintive wailing notes may yet be heard. 



It is found over the greater portion of Europe, ranging as far eastwards as 

 Poland and southwards to Spain ; while many migrate in winter to Africa. 



In hilly districts its home is usually on a ledge of a bush-covered cliff, scattered 

 here and there with a birch or rowan, but in woodland country the nest, which 

 is made of sticks and heather, with a lining of dead grasses and wool, is placed 

 in the fork of a tree. It contains three or four eggs, in ground colour dull white, 

 spotted and streaked with rich reddish-brown, and showing pale lilac shell- 

 markings. 



This Buzzard when beating the country-side for food, flies not far from the 

 ground, and pounces on its prey, which consists mainly of small mammals, such 

 as field mice and moles, young rabbits, frogs, insects, and earthworms, and it is 

 therefore not detrimental to game. Although active enough when in search of 

 food, it appears to be sluggish at other times, and will often sit for a long time 

 on the branch of a tree or on some rock from which it can command a wide view. 

 At times it flies at a great height, moving gracefully in circles, when it is often 

 mistaken for the Golden Eagle, although it may always be distinguished, if 

 near enough, by the white patches under the wings. 



The Common Buzzard shows great variation in colour among different indi- 

 viduals, some being more or less a uniform dark brown with a beautiful plum- 

 coloured gloss, and others much marked with white on the breast and lower parts. 



48 



