110 ' GREATER BUZZARD. 



it enlarges, and lines with wool or other soft ma-^ 

 terials : it lays two or three eggs^ which, according 

 to Mr. Pennant, are sometimes white, and some- 

 times spotted with yellow. It is said that if the 

 hen be accidentally killed, the cock Buzzard will 

 hatch and bring lip the young. It is observed 

 also that the young accompany the old birds for 

 some time after quitting the nest ; a circumstance 

 unusual in other birds of prey, which always drive 

 off their young as soon as they can fly. The 

 Buzzard is a very sluggish and inactive bird, con- 

 tinuing perched on the same bough for the greatest 

 part of the day, and seldom wandering from its 

 accustomed haunt or spot. It feeds on the smaller 

 birds, as well as on worms, frogs, and insects of 

 various kinds. 



Var, 



ASH-COLOURED ^UZ^ARD. 



Rather larger than the Common Buzzard, and 

 6f an ash-coloured brown above, varied beneath 

 with white : tail marked with numerous dusky bars. 

 Native of North America. Perhaps this should 

 rather be considered as a distinct species; 



GREATER BLTZZARD. 



A trifle larger than the Common Buzzard, and 

 of similar colour above, but beneath rufous, with: 

 oval brown spots. Native of Europe. 



