359 
““DIMENSIONS—Total length, female, 22 to 24 inches; wing 17 to 174 
inches; tail 9 inches. Male—total length, about 20 to 21 inches; wing 
16 to 164 inches; tail 8 to 8} inches.” 
Since writing the above I observe that specimens of this hawk are quite 
numerous in the vicinity of Cleveland the present winter (1858-9). Some 
are in splendid plumage and very dark colored. Prof. Kirtland saw a fine 
one in the act of capturing a mouse a few days ago. They seem to search 
the meadows for this kind of game, and should be welcomed by our farm- 
ers for this.service. They will not kill chickens. 
Il. .ARCHIBUTEO LAGOPUS—Gmelin—THE ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. 
Wilson’s Am. Orn., IV., pl. 28, fig. 1; Gould’s Birds of Europe. L, pl. 
15; Audubon’s Birds of Am., folio edition, pl. 166. 
There is considerable difference of opinion among naturalists in regard 
to the identity of this bird, specimens obtained in this country agreeing in 
every particular with others from Europe, while they also agree with indi- 
viduals of the preceding species in immature plumage. If the species are 
distinct we may claim this as an Ohio bird, as a specimen now in the 
Cleveland Museum was obtained by Prof. Kirtland in that portion of 
Cleveland formerly Ohio City. This agrees in the most minute particular 
with descriptions of the European bird, and was labeled A. lagopus, by 
the distinguished naturalist just mentioned. In habit, the present species 
agrees with A. Sancti Johannis, and preys on meadow mice, frogs, &c. It 
cannot be considered an injurious bird, and it should not be killed because 
it belongs to a bad family. 
In form this is similar to the preceding, and in color almost, if not quite 
identical with that of the younger bird. The upper parts are amber- 
brown, with an occasional feather edged with whitish and fulvous—these 
become quite numerous on the head and back of the neck. A wide band 
of brownish black across the abdomen. The rest of the lower parts yel- 
lowish-white, with longitudinal lines and spots of brownish black. Quills 
of the wings ashy-brown with the basal portion of their webs white; 
lower side of the tail white, upper, white on the basal half, the remainder 
brown tipped with white; feathers of the legs pale reddish-yellow with 
longitudinal stripes of brown. 
General size same as preceding species. Inhabits all portions of North 
America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, and breeds in the fur 
