40 
male usually perches near the female during 
the time of incubation. They fee -A their 
young for a long time after they are capable 
of flying. The nest is composed of sticks, 
and lined with wool and other soft sub- 
stances. It lays two or three eggs, white, 
with spots of rust colour, most numerous afc 
the large end. They are rather larger than 
those of the common hen. 
This well-known bird is of a sedentary 
and indolent disposition ; it continues perch- 
ed for many hours at a time upon a tree or 
eminence, from whence it darts upon such 
prey as comes within its reach. It feeds on 
birds, small quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects. 
Though possessed of strength and weapons 
to defend itself, yet it is cowardly, inactive, 
and slothful: it will fly from a sparrow 
hawk ; and when overtaken, will suffer itself 
to be beaten, and even brought to the 
ground, without resistance. 
Montagu says, this bird never pursues its 
prey on wing, but is contented with young 
hares, rabbits, and feathered game, of which 
it is a great destroyer; or if old ones are 
wounded, they become an easy prey. 
