# The Forbidden Buzzards explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

Clovis helps his friend Hugo Peterby by spreading a lie to their hostess, Mrs. Olston, that the wealthy Mr. Lanner is a fanatical egg-collector intent on raiding the nest of rare rough-legged buzzards on her property. This ruse prompts Mrs. Olston to keep Lanner constantly occupied with tours and companions, thwarting both his courtship of Betty Coulterneb and any threat to the birds. In the end, Lanner leaves early, Hugo fails to propose, and the buzzards' young are later shot by a local hairdresser.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

Mrs. Olston's concern for the buzzards masks her social maneuvering; Lanner's civilized exterior hides his ruthless collecting.

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The elaborate picketing of Lanner with tours and companions satirizes the absurd lengths of social hospitality and manipulation.

## Character check-ins

### Clovis Sangrail

Devises a clever lie about Lanner's egg-collecting obsession to protect the buzzards and aid Hugo's romantic interests.

### Bertie van Tahn

Referenced as 'Hugo Peterby' in the story; seeks Clovis's help to win Betty Coulterneb and keep Lanner away.

### Rex Dillot

Referenced as 'Lanner' in the story; a wealthy man whose courtship of Betty Coulterneb is thwarted by Clovis's scheme.

## Key lines

> I don’t specialise in it,” said Clovis; “it’s all right while you’re doing it, but the aftereffects are sometimes so disconcerting—the mute reproachful looks of the people you’ve aided and abetted in matrimonial experiments.

Clovis says he doesn't focus on matchmaking because the people he helps often end up giving him silent, resentful looks afterward.

_Clovis expresses his reluctance to engage in matchmaking due to the awkward aftermath._

> Clovis believed that if a lie was worth telling it was worth telling well.

Clovis thought that a good lie should be told with full conviction and detail.

_Narrator's comment on Clovis's philosophy of deception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-forbidden-buzzards
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters