Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Buzzard

A buzzard is one of some large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.

In the Old World
Buzzard can mean:

One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings.
In exacting, those in the genus Buteo. In the Old World, members of this genus are named as "buzzards", but "hawk" is more general in North America.
Specifically, in Europe, the general Buzzard, Buteo, where Buzzard is often used as a synonym.
Any raptor which has the word buzzard as division of its name.

In the New World
Buzzard can mean:

A vulture, mainly the American Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, or as a general term for vultures and condors.
In parts of the United States where they are considered pest, particularly in rural areas, a derogatory term for certain birds of prey, such as the Chicken hawk (a common colloquial name referring to both the Red-tailed Hawk and the Cooper's Hawk), or the Duck hawk (known elsewhere as the Peregrine Falcon). In the U.S., the term "buzzard" is never used to refer to birds of prey, like hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, exterior of this context.
Rarely, a derogatory term for any large bird that happens to be a scavenger, such as a raven or albatross (in other words, any large bird that is neither predatory nor flightless).
The Old World and New World uses are approximately antonyms.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

The Black market

The Black market or underground market is the part of economic activity involving illegal dealings, typically the buying and selling of merchandise or services illegally. The goods themselves may be illegal to sell ; the merchandise may be stolen; or the merchandise may be otherwise legal goods sold illicitly to avoid tax payments or licensing requirements, such as cigarettes or unregistered firearms. It is so called because "black economy" or "black market" affairs are conducted outside the law, and so are necessarily conducted "in the dark", out of the sight of the law.

Black markets develop when the state places restrictions on the production or provision of goods and services. These markets prosper, then, when state restrictions are heavy, such as during a period of prohibition, price controls and/or rationing. However, black markets are currently present in any known economy.