THE BIBDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
breasted Buzzard generally flies high in the air, through which it soars 
in large circles, much after the manner of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, its 
black breast and the large white mark at the base of the primaries being 
veiy conspicuous when seen from beneath. In these soaring actions it 
differs slightly from the typical species of the genus Buteo — an additional 
reason for its separation from these birds, and for the adoption of the 
distinctive generic appellation assigned to it by Dr. Kaup. A most 
singular story respecting this bird has been transmitted to me, and is here 
given as I received it : without vouching for its truth, I may remark that 
the testimony of the natives from whom it was derived may generally 
be relied upon : ‘ The natives, Mr. Drummond and his son, Mr. Johnson 
Drummond, teU me,’ says Mr. Gilbert, ‘ that this bird is so bold, that 
upon discovering an Emu sitting on her eggs it will attack her with great 
ferocity until it succeeds in driving her from the nest, when, the eggs being 
the attraction, it takes up a stone with its feet, and while hovering over the 
nest lets it faU upon and crush them, and then descends and devours the 
contents. I have had numerous opportunities of observing the bird myself 
and can bear testimony to its great powers of scent or vision, for upon 
several occasions, when the natives had placed a small kangaroo or kangaroo 
rat in the fork of a tree, or on the top of a XanihorrhoRa with the intention 
of taking it again on our return, we have found that the Black-breasted 
Buzzard had discovered and during our short absence had devoured every 
part of it, except the skin, which was left so perfect that at first I could not 
believe it had not been done by the hand of man.’ The sexes are alike in 
colouring, but present the usual difference in size, the male being the 
smallest.” 
Berney, in the Emu, Vol. V., p. 17, 1905, gives the following note : 
“ The Buzzard is only seen occasionally (Richmond District, North 
Queensland), but at times in pairs, and then almost invariably flying high 
in large circles. With one exception I have never seen them at rest. When 
seen on the wing, a good guide to their identification is the conspicuous 
pure white patch in the centre of the outstretched wing, which is formed 
by the bases of the first six primaries. They are not credited, as a 
rule, with being carrion-eaters, but I poisoned one at a dead kid that 
I had put as a bait for Eagles. It is the only specimen that I have 
been able to handle, and from it took the following measurements : 
Total length 22| : wing 18, tail 8|^, tarsus 3, culmen inches ; spread 
of middle and hind-toe 4| inches ; spread of wings 5 ft. IJ in. The 
general plumage was black-brown and duU chestnut-red, put on in a very 
patchy and mottled manner. Shortly after this I was attracted to a knot 
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