File:A history of British birds. By the Rev. F.O. Morris (1862) (14565544529).jpg

Identifier: historyofbritish01morr (find matches)
Title: A history of British birds. By the Rev. F.O. Morris ..
Year: 1862 (1860s)
Authors: Morris, F. O. (Francis Orpen), 1810-1893
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: London, Groombridge and Sons
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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most cultivated districts, but in both taking a more thanordinary care to choose such situations as will either exemptit from the intrusion, or enable it to have timely notice ofthe approach of an enemy. Still, with all its precautions,and with every aid that its own instinct and the most retiredor the most rugged localities can afford, it, like too manyothers of our native birds, is gradually becoming more rare.The advancement of agriculture upon grounds heretofore wildand uncultivated, the natural consequence of an increase ofpopulation within a fixed circumference, and other causes,contributing to this fact, which at all events a naturalist mustlament. The Buzzard is found in a variety of situations, such asrocky cliffs, chases, parks where timber abounds, or in *cidevant forests. It remains in England throughout the year,but, nevertheless, is partially migratory. I am much indebted to my liberal-minded friend, ArthurStrickland, Esq., of Bridlingtou-Quay, lor the following striking
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V ^i^ BUZt;ARD. BUZZAKD. 31 notice of the fact of its migration in this country, communicatedto him in the year 1847, by his brother, then residing atColeford, in the forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire. I mustobserve that the letter was not originally intended to bepublished. Coleford, 1847.I have a curious circumstance in ornithology to tell you.There is no account that I have heard of relating particularlyto the migration of some of the Hawks, proving them to as-semble in flocks for the purpose of migration, and going offtogether in large parties like Swallows, but of this I havepositive proof in the Common 33uzzard. On the 2nd. ofAugust, 1847, just at sunset, we were assembled in the yardto the number of five persons; we were busily engaged talkingon a fine bright evening: the air was filled as far as we couldsee, (about forty yards to the north, and one hundred to thesouth,) with great Hawks, all proceeding together steadily andslowly to the westward. Those immediately above us we

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