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COMMON BUZZARD. 
body being thrown upwards and the light falling 
on the clear and silvery tints of the base of the 
feathers. The Buzzard is a fine accompaniment 
to the landscape, whether sylvan or wild and rocky. 
In confinement, the Buzzard becomes very 
familiar, is easily tamed, and as easily kept. Some 
interesting anecdotes are related by Mr Thompson 
in his “ Irish Raptores.” A male Buzzard, which 
had been brought up from the nest, “ when let 
off’ in the morning, his favourite perch was upon 
some stacks, where he remained patiently watching 
for mice, which he has been seen to catch, but he 
was not always successful, sometimes dashing his 
talons into the straw and bringing them out 
empty. He preferred mice to rats, though very 
;xpert at killing both. He was quite a pet bird ; 
one of his favourite tricks was to fly on his 
master’s feet and untie his shoe strings. But he 
was likewise very bold, and taking a dislike to 
a certain individual, flew at him whenever he 
appeared, and endeavoured to strike him about 
the head. This bird occasionally astonished 
strangers, by smartly striking them on the hat, so 
as to send it over their ears.” * 
In geographical range, the Buzzard is pretty 
general over Europe, except in the low and marshy 
districts, or the flat and sandy steppes. In North 
Mag. of Zool. and Bot. vol. ii 
