FIFTH SERIES. 
Some Notes on the Birds 
OF WHICH 
PHOTOGRAPHS APPEAR IN 
THE FOREGOING PAGES. . 
BY 
George Girdwood 
Buzzard (Pages 30-43). — The Buzzard occupies a place in nature 
between the Hawk and the Owl. It is somewhat heavy both in 
appearance and habit, though when in flight its long wings upbear 
it w-ith great ease, as it circles round and round in graceful curves 
watching for its prey. Its food consists of young rabbits, field-mice 
and frogs, and occasionally it may destroy young birds. The colour 
above is ashy-brown, the under parts dull white, the breast clouded 
with a shade of brown, the wingand tail feathers dark brown crossed 
with bats of darker brown. The Buzzard is deserving of careful 
protection, but unfortunately its numbers have been very greatly 
t educed through lack of consideration on the part of game preservers. 
Originally this bird built its nest in trees, often a fir tree, but of 
late years it has retreated, during the breeding season at least, to 
more inaccessible spots where it nests in cliffs. The foundation of 
the nest is constructed of rough sticks, the upper portion of twigs, 
and a peculiar habit of the species is to line its nest with fresh green 
leaves. The eggs are usually three in number, though occasionally 
four may be found, and are often very handsome. They vary from 
a dull white without markings, to those where the ground colour is 
almost obscured by rich blotches and spots of reddish-brown. 
Another view of a Buzzard’s nest, this time on a tree, will be 
found on Page 34 of Wild Birds at Home, Second Series. 
Chaffinch (Page 6).— This finch is one of the most brilliantly 
coloured of our British birds, and the male in spring, when the varied 
colours of his plumage are at their brightest, with his blue cap, and 
bright contrast of black, white, and saffron on wings and breast, 
presents a handsome appearance as he pours out his short but 
melodious song, or utters his characteristic cry of “pink pink.” 
The Chaffinch is a resident with us throughout the year, is widely 
distributed, and in many districts is abundant. The habit of this 
species, from which it derives its scientific name of “ Bachelor- 
Finch,” is that shown in the winter months, when the males and 
females separate, gathering at that season in flocks, each flock 
