68 



BUZZARD. 



with a deeper shade ; the greater quills dusky black towards their ends, 

 with a shade of ash-colour on the exterior webs ; the interior webs of 

 the primores white towards the base, the others barred with dark ash- 

 colour ; the tail is marked alternately with six or seven bars of dusky 

 and pale rust-colour ; that near the end is broad and dusky ; the whole 

 are tipped with white, and have a dash of cinereous ; legs yellow. 



The Buzzard is one of the most common species of falcon we have ; 

 it is a sluggish, inactive bird, slow in night, and seldom remains long - on 

 wing-, except in the breeding- season, when it will soar to a prodigious 

 height, spirally ascending-. It makes a nest in the fork of a tree with 

 large sticks, and lines it with wool, hair, and other substances ; some- 

 times it takes possession of a deserted crow's nest. The eggs are two, 

 and not unfrequently three in number, rather larger than those of a 

 hen, of a dirty white, most commonly spotted with rust-colour, chiefly 

 at the larger end. 



This bird never pursues its prey on wing, but is contented with 

 young hares, rabbits, and feathered game, of which it is a great de- 

 stroyer ; or if old ones are wounded, they become an easy prey. In 

 default of such delicious food it will eat carrion, and even worms and 

 beetles. It will also devour moles and mice, when pressed by hunger. 



This species is very generally diffused throughout the wooded parts 

 of Europe. In France its flesh is esteemed a delicacy, and much sought 

 after during the winter. It is subject to great variety of plumage, 

 which has led to its being multiplied into several species, as will be 

 seen by reference to the synonimes. The plumage of the young is a 

 light brown colour, variegated with white and yellow; the throat is 

 white ; the belly white, shaded with large longitudinal spots. Pennant 

 says that they remain with the parent birds some time after quitting 

 the nest. 



