JARDINE'S SPOTTED KITE (_Spilocircus Jardinii_) is about the size of the
Reed Kite. The feathers upon its cheeks, ear-covers, and the top of its
head are nut brown, streaked with blackish brown upon the shafts; the
face, breast, and back are dark grey; the under side of the wings, belly,
and legs are reddish brown; most of the feathers upon the wings and lower
part of the breast are marked with round white spots upon each side of
the shaft; the quills are dark, and the tail-feathers striped alternately
with brown and grey. The beak is grey at the base, and black at its tip;
the feet are yellow, and the eyes orange. The young birds are of an
uniform dark brown upon the back, and striped instead of spotted on the
lower parts of the body. Gould informs us that the Spotted Kite is found
extensively throughout New South Wales, and that it closely resembles
its European congeners in its habits and mode of life. Small quadrupeds,
birds, lizards, and snakes constitute its principal nourishment. The nest
is built upon the ground.
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The BUZZARDS (_Buteones_) constitute a group of somewhat
heavily-constructed birds, of moderate size, that are found extensively
in both hemispheres, and in almost every latitude. Their bodies are
stout, their heads broad, thick, and flat; they all have short beaks,
which curve downwards from the base, are comparatively thick at the
sides, and without denticulations on the margin. Their necks are short,
and their wings long and rounded; in the latter the fourth quill usually
exceeds the rest in length. The tail is of moderate size, the tarsi of no
great height, and furnished with short, weak toes, which are, however,
armed with sharp and formidable talons. The plumage is more or less
lax, and composed of long, broad feathers, except upon the head, where
they are narrow and pointed, being only exceptionally prolonged into a
crest. Dusky hues predominate in the coloration of these birds, and their
markings are numerous and very varied.
The Buzzards frequent both mountainous and level districts, preferring,
however, such situations as abound in fields and woodlands. During
the breeding season each pair takes up its abode in a certain limited
district, within which it keeps, never trenching upon the space belonging
to a neighbouring couple. Towards other members of the feathered creation
they are inoffensive and peaceable, and are only roused to violence
should an intruder venture too close to their young family; such as
inhabit the northern countries of Europe are migratory in their habits,
while those found in southern regions are stationary. All the various
species fly slowly, more after the manner of the Eagles than of the
Kites; when about to pounce upon their prey, they hover, Falcon-like,
for a moment in the air, and then come slowly and heavily down. Upon the
ground their movements are ungainly, and their step an awkward attempt at
a hop. So strong and keen is the sight of these birds, that they may be
very properly termed "eagle-eyed;" their hearing is also good, and their
powers of touch and taste well developed.
In spite of the apparent dullness exhibited by the Buzzards, they are
superior in intelligence to most of their order, and scarcely deserve to
be called rapacious, as when no longer hungry they rarely plunder from
mere love of theft; having satisfied their appetite, they seem to trouble
themselves no longer about the chase. With other Birds of Prey they would
willingly live upon amicable terms; towards the Screech Owl alone they
exhibit a most implacable hatred. But the Buzzards themselves have many
tormentors, no doubt from the fact that such of their assailants as are
light and active find considerable amusement in following and worrying
their more ponderous and unwieldy neighbours. Worms, snails, larvæ, and
various kinds of insects, together with some kinds of vegetable food,
are eaten in large quantities by these birds, so that their services
to the farmer are both extensive and important. Rice they will readily
devour, and snakes they perseveringly destroy, even if the encounter
necessitates considerable exertion. Their eyrie is built in high trees,
and constructed in the most careless manner; the eggs are usually three
or four in number, though occasionally the female lays but one. The
young remain for a considerable time under the care and tuition of their
parents, by whom they are most watchfully tended. If taken from the nest
when very young, the Buzzard will become so tame that it may be allowed
to fly about at large.
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The SNAKE BUZZARDS (_Circaëti_) have frequently been numbered with the
Eagles under the name of Snake Eagles. These are large birds, of a most
peculiar type. Their bodies are slender, but powerful, with short neck,
large head, and strong beak; the latter curves downwards from the base,
is compressed at its sides, and terminates in a long hook. The wings are
broad and long, the third or fourth quill exceeding the rest in length;
the tail is of moderate size, broad and straight at its extremity; the
feet are high, and protected by a thick armature of horny plates; the
toes are very short, and furnished with short, sharp, crooked talons. The
plumage is lax; and, as in that of the Eagle, the feathers upon the head
and nape are pointed at their tip.