HONEY-BUZZARDS. 
113 
to say how accurate or particular any such may be ; but this I 
know, that the best old maps of that kingdom are very defective. 
The great obvious defect that I have remarked in all maps of 
Scotland that have fallen in my way is, a want of a coloured line 
or stroke, that shall exactly define the just limits of that district 
called the Highlands. Moreover, all the great avenues to that 
mountainous and romantic country want to be well distinguished. 
The mihtary roads formed by General Wade are so great and 
Roman-Kke an undertaking that they well merit attention. My 
old map, MolFs map, takes notice of Fort WiUiam ; but could 
not mention the other forts that have been erected long since : 
therefore a good representation of the chain of forts should not 
be omitted. 
The celebrated zigzag up the Coryarich must not be passed 
over. Moll takes notice of Hamilton and Drumlanrig, and such 
capital houses ; but a new survey, no doubt, should represent 
every seat and castle remarkable for any great event, or celebrated 
for its paintings, &c. Lord Breadalbane's seat and beautiful 
policy are too curious and extraordinary to be omitted. 
The seat of the Earl of Eghntoun, near Glasgow, is worthy of 
notice. The pine-plantations of that nobleman are very grand 
and extensive indeed. I am, &c. 
LETTER XLHL To T. PENNANT, Esq. 
A PAIR of honey-buzzards, huteo apivorus y sive vespivorus Rail, 
built them a large shallow nest, composed of twigs and lined 
with dead beechen leaves, upon a tall slender beech near the 
middle of Selborne-hanger, in the summer of 1780. In the mid- 
dle of the month of June a bold boy climbed this tree, though 
standing on so steep and dizzy a situation, and brought down an 
egg, the only one in the nest, which had been sat on for some 
time, and contained the embryo of a young bird. The egg was 
smaller, and not so round as those of the common buzzard ; was 
dotted at each end with small red spots, and surrounded in the 
middle with a broad blooSy zone. 
The hen-bird was shot, and answered exactly to Mr. Ray's 
description of that species ; had a black cere, short thick legs, 
and a long tail. When on the wing this species may be easily 
distinguished from the common buzzard by its hawk-like appear- 
I 
