The Common Buzzard 
as a Pet. 
THE BIRD WORLD. 
(132) 
The Common Buzzard as a Pet. 
By "LICHEN GREY.” 
Though scarcely, perhaps, coming within the 
strict definition of a “ cage-bird,” the Buzzard will 
still be found to be a most interesting pet for those 
who have the convenience of a roomy outdoor 
aviary at command. For this purpose nothing is 
more suitable than an out-house in the garden, to 
which a large wire-netted enclosure can be added. 
The larger the enclosed space is the better, 
though the writer has kept a Buzzard in such an 
aviary which did not measure more than about 
ten yards by seven, in which, also, a variety of 
other birds were kept at different times. 
A Happy Family. 
In this enclosure he has had living together in 
perfect health and feather, and upon the best of 
terms with one another, a Buzzard, two Magpies, 
a Jay, a Hooded and a Carrion Crow, besides 
several Owls, and occasionally a Seagull or two. 
The netting was about twelve feet in height, and 
partly overshadowed by a willow tree, whose 
trunk it surrounded; and upon one side an open 
shed, fitted with suitable perches, afforded the 
birds all the shelter they required at night or dur¬ 
ing stormy weather. In fine weather they nearly 
all preferred to roost out of doors, the Buzzard’s 
favourite perch being upon an outjutting stone at 
one corner of the shed, and here for hours to¬ 
gether he would sit, sedately poised upon one 
foot, quite regardless of the noisy chatter of his 
more lively companions.. 
How to Feed. 
The natural food of the Buzzard consists of 
rats, moles, and other small mammals, and in 
confinement he must of course be supplied with 
a similar diet. For this purpose any sort of 
flesh that is most easily procurable will do, bul¬ 
lock’s liver being a cheap and easily obtained fare 
in most places, though it is better to avoid a too 
constant recourse to such gross substances. It 
is important to remember, too, that all birds of 
prey naturally exuviate the fur, feathers, and 
other indigestible portions of their food, and when 
in captivity a diet of liver or such like is fre¬ 
quently resorted to it ought to be mixed or cover¬ 
ed with fur or feathers to supply material for the 
castings, which tend greatly to keep the bird in 
health.. In the case of a Buzzard, or other similar 
large bird, sheep’s wool will do very well for I his 
purpose, and when this is given it is curious to 
notice the perfectly white pellets which will be 
thrown up—cylindrical bodies, nearly an inch in 
diameter, and resembling the fluffy heads which 
gunsmiths sell to screw upon the end of a clean¬ 
ing rod more than anything else. Failing other 
food, a Buzzard will eat fish with considerable 
relish, and even an occasional frog, while large 
beetles are favourite morsels with most birds of 
this class, and are certainly conducive to keeping 
them in good health. 
Bedding Down. 
When the companions, of the nature referred 
to above, share his quarters, they will be found 
of use in disposing of any scraps which may fall 
from the Buzzard’s table, and in picking the bones 
•of any animal which may have served him for a 
meal; but care should be taken to remove all 
refuse from the aviary from time to time, and 
Young Buzzard taking a walk abroad. 
to keep it thoroughly clean and sweet by littering 
the floor with sand, dry peat, or sawdust; or with 
regard to the outside portion of it, by occasionally 
renewing the grass, or turning over the soil with 
a spade. It is always better to have as much as 
possible of the enclosure covered with vegetation 
of some kind, as this tends greatly towards keep¬ 
ing the soil in a wholesome condition, and pro¬ 
moting the health of the inmates. 
The Buzzard at Liberty. 
With proper treatment and attention a Buzzard 
soon becomes very tame, and even friendly with 
its owner; so much so, that in a sufficiently- 
secluded district it may be allowed a considerable 
amount of liberty. Indeed, one may be so trained 
that it can be trusted altogether at large, and 
