THE MOOR-BUZZARD. 
This bird is about twenty-one inches in 
ifength, with a black bill, and yellow eyes. 
The w'hole crown of the head is of a yel- 
lowish white, lightly tinged with brown ; the 
throat is of a light rust colour: the rest of the 
plumage is of a reddish brown, with pale edges ; 
the greater wing-coverts are tipped with white ; 
the legs are yellow, and claws black. 
Rabbits, young wild ducks, and other water- 
fowl, are the prey of this bird : it will likewise 
feed on fish, frogs, reptiles, and even insects. 
Its haunts are in hedges and bushes, near pools, 
marshes, and rivers that abound with fish. It 
builds its nest a little above the surface of the 
ground, or in hillocks covered with thick herb- 
age. Though smaller, it is more active and 
bold than the Common Buzzard, and when pur- 
sued, it faces its antagonist, and makes a 
vigorous defence. 
( 48 ) 
