cending and descending in a series of continued circles, and 
in its descent uttering a noise similar to the purring of a 
cat, but much louder, which is heard at a considerable 
distance. 
The nest is formed in the fork of some large tree near the 
top, and is composed of sticks, lined with hair, wool, and 
other soft substances. It usually lajs two eggs, sometimes 
a third is found in the nest, but generally when this is the 
case one of them proves abortive. The eggs are of a dull 
white, spotted with rust colour, most numerously at the 
larger end, and rather exceed in size those of the 
common hen. 
During the time of incubation the male bird is very 
attentive to its mate, bringing it food, and during her tem- 
porary absence taking charge of the nest. Both sexes are 
very tenacious of their young, and continue feeding them 
sometime after they quit the nest. Their food consists of 
young hares, rabbits, moles, and other small quadrupeds; 
also of such other birds as from inability are unable to elude 
their attack : so cowardly is the male bird that it will resign 
its prey to the kestrel or sparrow hawk, which frequently 
attack it for the purpose of procuring a meal. 
