British Birds. 
1 1 6 
sluggish in its ways. Our Common Buzzard nests now only in certain districts of 
Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and occasionally on the northern moors of England, 
but constant persecution has greatly cut down its numbers, and it is not so common 
as it used to be. It is found in Northern and Western Europe, but does not extend 
very far east into Russia, and is again not plentiful in the Mediterranean countries. 
The Buzzard is decidedly a useful bird, as it feeds largely on mice, frogs and 
reptiles, as well as occasionally on small birds. It generally builds its nest in a 
tree, or on ledges of rocks, or in small caves. The nest is rather roughly made of 
sticks, lined with smaller twigs, and with fresh green leaves. The eggs are two 
to four in number, white or greenish-white, and generally without spots, though 
occasionally there are mottlings of rufous brown. 
The Desert Buzzard. 
The Red-tailed Buzzard. 
THE DESERT 
BUZZARD. 
(Butco desertorum.) 
This may be called a rufous form of the Common 
Buzzard, with more rufous on the upper tail-coverts and tail, 
this rufous colour being distinguishable in the young birds, 
as well as in the old ones. It is an inhabitant of Southern 
Europe and Africa and has been said to have occurred three times in England, 
twice in Northumberland, and once in Wiltshire. In its habits, nest, and eggs it 
does not differ from the Common Buzzard. 
A single specimen of this Buzzard is said to have 
been obtained in Nottinghamshire. The species is an 
inhabitant of North America, and is a somewhat larger bird 
than our Common Buzzard, and it is also distinguished from 
THE RED-TAILED 
BUZZARD. 
( Buteo borealis.) 
