THE HONEY-BUZZARD. 



Pernis apivonss (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 35. 



The Honey-Buzzard is a migratory species which at one time appears to have 

 been a regular summer visitor to England, though it apparently was never plenti- 

 ful. Their nests have been recorded in wooded districts as far north as east 

 Ross-shire and Aberdeenshire, while between fifty and sixty years ago it bred 

 annually in the New Forest, and would do so still if not constantly persecuted 

 and destroyed. It is well known during summer in most parts of Europe, from 

 Norway, Sweden, and Russia to northern Spain and Italy, ranging eastwards to 

 western Siberia, and wintering in Africa and Madagascar. When passing to and 

 fro between Europe and Africa, the birds have been described as flying in large 

 flocks, which pass continuously for several days. 



The Honey-Buzzard selects for its home a tall beech or oak, and builds its 

 nest — often placed on the foundations of an older one of some other species — of 

 sticks, lined with beech twigs and fresh green leaves of the same tree. 



The late E. C. Newcome, as quoted in the fourth edition of " Yarrell," observed 

 that in France the young when in the nest were sheltered by a bower of leafy 

 boughs, a fact which has not been noticed in our country. The two or three 

 eggs are bufiish-white in ground colour, blotched or thickly clouded with various 

 shades of rich brownish-red. 



The Honey-Buzzard is an entirely harmless species, its principal food consisting 

 of the grubs of wasps and wild bees, obtained by digging out the combs with its 

 powerful feet, which enable it to excavate deeply into the ground ; worms, cater- 

 pillars, frogs, lizards, and mice are also eaten. It is very nimble and can run with 

 great speed on the ground, which peculiarity was noticed long ago by Willoughby. 



In the Victoria History of the County of Sussex Mr. J. G. Millais has given 

 an interesting account of a tame Honey-Buzzard, which would perch on his hand, 

 whence it would sweep after and capture passing bees or wasps, following the 

 latter insects to their nest in order to dig out the comb. It appeared to be quite 

 indiff"erent to the attacks of the insects, which were unable to penetrate the armour 

 of its feathers. 



The Honey-Buzzard is subject to great variety of colouring, which is more 

 evident in immature specimens. The white-headed form shown in the plate was 

 taken from a beautiful living bird of the year, in the late Lord Lilford's collec- 

 tion, which was very confiding and gentle in its manners, perching freely on any 

 person's arm, and living on a diet of bread and milk. It frequently uttered a 

 peevish wailing cry. 



58 



