BUZZARDS. 
235 
light coloured. The colour of the iris varies from dark hazel to light brownish 
yellow; the legs and toes are yellow, and the claws black. White specimens are 
occasionally met with. The length of the male is about 22 inches, and that of the 
female about an inch more. The common buzzard is distributed over the greater part 
of Europe, and is in many districts comparatively abundant. In Northern Africa 
and Eastern Europe it is, however, replaced by the nearly-allied desert-buzzard ( B. 
desertorum), which also ranges into India ; while in Japan and China its place is 
occupied by B. plumipes, distinguished by the greater extent to which the metatarsus 
is feathered. This species also ranges through the Himalaya to Gilgit, and occurs 
common buzzard (A nat. size). 
occasionally in India. America possesses another closely allied species in Swainson’s 
buzzard ( B. obsoletus), ranging over the greater part of that continent. In searching 
for their prey, which consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, buzzards 
fly slowly and sluggishly; and their cowardly disposition, to which allusion has 
already been made, is exhibited by their generally selecting young or feeble animals 
for their victims. At times, however, and especially in the breeding-season, these 
birds will soar in circles high in the air, occasionally uttering their shrill and 
melancholy whistle-like cry. After feeding, they usually take up their station on a 
tree, from which, if disturbed, they fly in what appears to be a frightened manner. 
In England, according to Professor Newton, the nest is usually in a tree; while in 
the more mountainous districts of Scotland preference is given to rocks. The eggs, 
which are usually two or three, but occasionally four in number, much resemble 
