- bie 
> GRU 
%, © NATURAL HISTORY. «> a) 
Pliny fuppofes the invention of the rudder to be owing 
to the notice mankind have taken of igi in ufing 
its tail to direct its fight. Every bird of the air bes 
ing capable of efcaping the purfuit of the kite, it is ob- 
liged to fubfifton accidental carnage, whichit devours _ 
like a famifhed favage, without the leaft mercy or 
moderation. a te). 
Hunger often makes them fo defperate, as to attack 
broods of chickens, ducklimgs, &c. . . 
It ufually breeds in large forefts, or woody moun- . 
tains. ‘The hen laystwoor three eggs, which, hike” 
thofe of other birds of. prey, are larger at the narrow 
endthan thofe laid by the otherfpecies. When this bird 
flies high, it is faid to portend fine and dry weather. 
it has been, though erroneoufly, reckoned amongft 
birds of paffage. It is twentyfeven inches in length, 
five feet in breadth and in weight about forty four oun- 
ces. ‘This bird, poffefling no peculiarity of plumage, 
we omit giving an uninterefting detail of its feathers ; 
we fhall, therefore, only ebferve, that they fometimes 
differ in colour; fome being entirely tawny, while 
others are variegated. ; 
apogee MEME NED$93-— 
> 
tid? We 
~ COMMON BUZZARD, | 
‘Tuts bird, which is pata fluggifh and inac- 
tive, will frequently remain perched a whole day on 
the fame bough. Frogs, mice, and infects, are its , 
chief fubfiftence. ‘The reafon for preferring which, — 
feems to arife from natural indolence, they being more © 
eafily obtained than birds, which it will not take the” 
trouble of flying after. It lives inthe fummer by | 
robbing nefts, and fucking the eggs. Incountenance, | 
it more refembles the owl, than any bird of hy : 
Should the hen buzzard be killed, the cock will hate 
and rear the young. They breed in large woods, and > 
generally build on an old crow’s neft, ‘The'young ac- | 

