BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 203 



The Rough-legged Buzzard {Archibuteo lagopus, Gmelin) is 

 an irregular autumn visitant to the British Isles ; it is also 

 found inhabiting the northern portions of Europe and Asia. 

 The adult has the general colouration of the plumage 

 buffish-white, varied with brown of different shades ; back 

 and rump, closely marked with brown ; primaries with basal 

 half, white, terminal half, dark brown ; tail-feathers, white, 

 barred with brown, and washed with greyish-brown towards 

 terminal end, and tipped with whitish ; under parts, yel- 

 lowish-white ; centre of abdomen, covered with a blackish- 

 brown patch ; irides, brown ; bill, blackish ; base, paler ; 

 cere and feet, yellow; legs feathered to the toes. Length, 

 from nineteen to twenty-three inches. The female is the 

 larger. 



