40 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. 
as having been met with in Northumberland, in the winter of 
the year 1815; others in East Lothian, in 1828, and one 
near Alnwick, m March, 1828. In Devonshire two have been 
killed near Dartmoor; one at Egg Buckland, in November, 
1886. Mr. Doubleday has mentioned more than fifty specimens 
taken in one rabbit warren, in the county of Norfolk. 
This bird frequents the more wooded parts of the open country, 
and, if undisturbed, will continue to resort at night to the 
same tree, or the same wood, to roost. 
The 2ough- legged tee ved remains in this country through- 
out the nile es ihe year, at least some individuals ‘have been 
met with both in summer and winter. It is migratory like 
the species deseribed in the preceding article, and, as there 
mentioned, even accompanies it in its meena! but whether 
its flights on those occasions are long or short—complete 
expatriations, or mere local removes, or flittings,’ to use a not 
inappropriate Yorkshire word, is a matter which at present 
cannot be pronounced upon with certainty. They do not always 
accompany the more extensive caravans of Common Buzzards, 
but sometimes keep to themselves in small flocks of from three 
to five. 
It would appear that this species is more nocturnal than others 
of the Falcon family in seeking its prey—sometimes hawking 
even until long after sunset, a fact which, in connection with 
the looseness and softness of its plumage, has not unnaturally 
suggested an approximation to the Owl tribe. But, inasmuch 
as the Harriers approach still nearer to them in acti respect, 
if it is to be linked with them, it must be by means of an 
imaginary loop—the links of the direct chain being broken, 
or rather superseded. That a real natural bond of union, so 
to call it, does exist from the highest to the lowest anatal 
in the Bealls of creation, is Without doubt to be received as 
true, but even with the materials to his hand, how short- 
sighted is man to trace it—how utterly blnd—a mere wanderer 
in darkness, while all around him is light. 
The flight of the species before us is, like that of the 
Common Buzzard, slow and stealthy. The bird is easy on 
the wing, and passes much of its time in hawking for its 
food, though it does not continue long at once in the air. 
Sometinias, however, it will remain fy a considerable time 
stationary in a tree, doubtless for the same reason that actuates 
its predecessor (in this work.) In the breeding season it has 
also the like habit of soaring aloft over and around its eyrie. 
