The COMMON or MOUSE BUZZARD (_Buteo vulgaris_) is distinguished by its
small, narrow, hooked beak, and bare tarsi; its tail is comparatively
short, and its plumage less lax than that of the above-mentioned species,
which, in other respects, it closely resembles. Its length is from
twenty-two to twenty-five inches, its breadth from fifty to fifty-eight
inches; the tail measures about nine inches. The coloration of the
plumage varies so much in different individuals as to render a general
description almost impossible--indeed, no two birds are alike.
The Mouse Buzzards are met with throughout a large part of Europe and
Central Asia, appearing in the southern portions of our continent during
the winter, and living solitarily in the vicinity of lofty mountains
during the summer months. They are rarely seen in Northern Africa, or
in the lower parts of India, but are common in certain districts of the
Himalayas. In some of the warm countries of Europe they remain throughout
the entire year; in such as are more northern, they arrive about March or
April, and leave again in September. When about to migrate, these birds
congregate in parties of from twenty to a hundred, and as the flocks
usually proceed in the same course when quitting us, without actually
assembling in large hosts, they often fly so as to spread their numbers
over a square mile of country. At such times their flight is slow, and
varied by the performance of many elegant evolutions, sweeping about
in circles for half-an-hour at a time; and, as they return northwards,
they often linger for whole days upon spots likely to afford them a
plentiful supply of food. When about to settle, they generally select
such localities as are well covered with trees, and in the vicinity of
fields or pasture lands, these situations being rich in such game as they
prefer; they are, however, found in large forests, and sometimes ascend
to a great height in mountain ranges.
[Illustration: THE COMMON OR MOUSE BUZZARD (_Buteo vulgaris_).]
The movements of this Buzzard are characterised by a slowness and
clumsiness that render it almost unmistakable, either as it soars
slowly aloft, or sits, with body huddled together and ruffled plumage,
upon the branch of a tree, from whence it watches with keen eyes,
for the appearance of its prey. During the breeding season and early
spring, however, these birds exhibit an activity for which we are quite
unprepared, and soar to prodigious heights, displaying their skill in
a variety of aërial manœuvres, apparently for the amusement of their
mates. The voice of the Common Buzzard very closely resembles the
mewing of a cat; its sight is excellent, its hearing delicate, and the
other senses very well developed; its disposition is intelligent, keen,
and sly. The eyrie is built, or an old one repaired, about May. This
structure is placed upon a tree, and carefully formed of branches, such
as are thickest being placed beneath the others; the interior is lined
with very fine twigs, moss, hair, and other soft materials. The nest is
about two feet in diameter. The brood consists of three or four greenish
white eggs, spotted with light brown; the female alone sits, but at a
later period both parents co-operate in tending the little family. This
species occasionally takes possession of the nests of Crows or Ravens,
instead of building on its own account.
Rats, marmots, snakes, and insects are greedily devoured by the Mouse
Buzzard, yet, as its name indicates, _mice_ constitute its favourite
diet--indeed, so large is the number eaten by this bird, that, according
to Lenz, a family of five consumes no less than 50,000 of these
destructive animals in the course of a year. We will not attempt to
include the next generation in this calculation, or our readers would be
involved in a sum as intricate as that with which we are all familiar,
respecting the nails in a horse-shoe; if, however, we take into account
that the Mouse Buzzard attacks and kills all kinds of snakes, whether
poisonous or not, we shall be able in some measure to estimate the very
valuable services it renders to the human race. The generally-received
impression that this species is proof against the venom of serpents is
incorrect, as has been proved in a variety of instances.