Honey-buzzard

Honey-buzzard, or BEE-KITE (Pernis apivorus), one of the Falconidae, allied to both kites and buzzards, but with many peculiarities, such as the thick feathering of the sides of the head down to the base of the bill. It winters in Africa, and breeds in the wooded districts of north Europe, ranging, however, as far east as China and Japan. To Britain it is usually only a visitor, and that not very commonly; but there are records of its occasional breeding here. Howard Saunders tells how collectors of 'British' specimens paid £5 for a couple of eggs, or £40 for a pair of old birds, till the breeding virtually ceased. The honey-buzzard owes its name to its habit of plundering the nests of bees and wasps for the sake of the larvæ; and apparently also the honey. It also devours grubs of many kinds and various small animals. The nest, often founded on that of some other kite, is situated on some leafy tree, and may be further concealed by a covering of leaves, which are replaced as they wither. The eggs, usually two, are laid in June, which is late for a bird of prey. The genus includes a few other species.