BUZZARD

buzzard. Buzzard, n. a species of hawk, a blockhead

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Buz″zard (bŭz″zẽrd), n. [[O.E. busard, bosard, F. busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]] 1. 1. (Zoöl.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera.
☞ The Buteo vulgaris is the common buzzard of Europe. The American species (of which the most common are B. borealis, B. Pennsylvanicus, and B. lineatus) are usually called hen hawks. — The rough-legged buzzard, or bee hawk, of Europe (Pernis apivorus) feeds on bees and their larvæ, with other insects, and reptiles. — The moor buzzard of Europe is Circus æruginosus. See Turkey buzzard, and Carrion buzzard. Bald buzzard, the fishhawk or osprey. See Fishhawk. 2. 2. A blockhead; a dunce.
It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a buzzard. Goldsmith.