SI2 THE AMERICAN ROUGH-LEG. 



leaves, and soft materials. Eggs: 2 or 3, sometimes 4 or 5, bluish white or dull 

 white, sometimes unmarked, but oftener spotted, blotched, or streaked with reddish 

 brown Dv clmcolate. Av. size, 2.22 x 1.78 (56.4x44.7). 



General Range. — North America north of ^lexico, breeding north of the 

 United Slates (exceptins:; in Alaska). 



Range in Washington. — Not common migrant and winter resident, chiefly 

 east iif ibe Cascades. 



Authorities. — Archibuteo lagopus Gmelin, Cassin, Rep. Pac. R. R. Snrv. 

 IN. 1S5S. p. 2,2,- T. C&S. D-. D-'. 



Specimens. — Prov. C. 



A LARGE, dark-colored l)ird, "bi!.;i;er than a Hawk and nut as big as 

 an Eagle," seen in winter flx'ing liea\ily to and fro across the meadow at a 

 low height, or perching for considerable stretches of time on pasture boulders, 

 fence posts, or low stubs, commanding open situations, may safel)' be put 

 duwn in the nute-book as an American Rough-legged Buzzard. If seen in 

 air Ihc bird mav remind one of a Turkey Vulture out of season, but a second 

 glance will take account of its fan-slia])ed tail, its shorter wings, and rather 

 more rapid ni<)\ement. The species is largely crepuscular, almost nocturnal, 

 in habit, and is to be looked for on dark days rather than liright ones. Its 

 food consists almost exclusively of field mice and other small rodents, altho 

 an occasional rabbit may \'ary its fare. 



As might be inferred from the humble nature of its quarr)-. the Rough- 

 leg is a peaceable bird, rather sluggish in movement, and, except where per- 

 secuted, (|uite unsuspicious of man. \Vhile hopelessly "ignoble" from the 

 Falconer's slandi>oint, the bird has a fine presence and a bright eye; and it 

 would seem to deserve the name "gentle," rather better than does the rapa- 

 cious Peregrine. Its occasional ]irescnce with us in winter is entirely 

 beneficial, and the bird sbonlil be carefull\' protected. 



Evidentlv considerable confusion has always existed as between this and 

 the succeeding species, A. frrruf/iiiciis. The latter is typically \vhite below, 

 but is not infre(|uentlv melanistic, and 1 believe that dark specimens are more 

 frequent upon the Pacific Coa.st than on the Great Plains. The American 

 Rough-leg is almost anything in ])lumage, from lightly mottled brown to 

 black, and its general appearance is exceedingly variable. I have seen .speci- 

 mens in Washington in June and July which T referred to this species; and 

 Dr. Cooper^" mentions that he saw young birds near the month of the 

 Colnml)ia River in July 1855; yet I am inclined to think that fcrnigincus 

 is the onlv breeding form in \\'asliington and that all references to the 

 occurrence of saiicti-joliainiis hereabouts in summer are due to puzzling 

 disguises of the "Squirrel Hawk." 



a. Rep. Pac. R. R. Siirv.. Vol XII.. p. II.. i860, p. 149. 



