41 
The following anecdote will shew that 
the Buzzard may be so far tamed as even 
to be rendered a faithful domestic* It is 
copied from a letter of M. Fontaine to the 
Comte de BufFon. 
"In 1763 (says this gentleman) a Buz- 
zard was brought to me that had been taken 
in a snare. It was at first extremely wild 
and unpromising. I undertook to tame it ; 
and I succeeded, by leaving it to fast, and 
constraining it to come and eat out of my 
hand. By pursuing this plan, I brought it 
to be very familiar : and after having shut 
it up about six weeks, I began to allow it 
a little liberty, taking the precaution, how- 
ever, to tie both pinions of its wings. In 
this condition it walked out into my garden, 
and returned when I called it to feed. After 
some time, when I judged that I could trust 
to its fidelity, I removed the ligatures, and 
fastened a small bell, an inch and a half in 
diameter, above its talons, and also attached 
on the breast a piece of copper, having my 
name engraved on it. I then gave it entire 
liberty, which it soon abused ; for it took 
wing and flew as far as the forest of Belesme. 
