512 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 or chocolate. Av. size, 2.22 x 1.78 (56.4 x 44.7). 
General Range.—North America north of Mexico, breeding north of the 
United States (excepting in Alaska). 
Range in Washington.—Not common migrant and winter resident, chiefly 
east of the Cascades. 
Authorities —<Archibuteo lagopus Gmelin, Cassin, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. 
IX. 1858, 'p. 33. T. C&S. D',. Ds, 
Specimens.—!’rovy. C. 
A LARGE, dark-colored bird, “bigger than a Hawk and not as big as 
an Eagle,” seen in winter flying heavily 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 safely be put — 
down in the note-book as an American Rough-legged Buzzard. If seen in 
air the bird may remind one of a Turkey Vulture out of season, but a second 
glance will take account of its fan-shaped tail, its shorter wings, and rather 
more rapid movement. The species is largely crepuscular, almost nocturnal, 
in habit, and is to be looked for on dark days rather than bright ones. Its 
food consists almost exclusively of field mice and other small rodents, altho 
an occasional rabbit may vary its fare. 
As might be inferred from the humble nature of its quarry, the Rough- 
leg is a peaceable bird, rather sluggish in movement, and, except where per- 
secuted, quite unsuspicious of man. While hopelessly “ignoble” from the 
Falconer’s standpoint, 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 presence with us in winter is entirely 
beneficial, and the bird should be carefully protected. 
Evidently considerable confusion has always existed as between this and 
the succeeding species, 4. ferrugineus. The latter is typically white below, 
but is not infrequently melanistic, and I believe that dark specimens are more 
frequent upon the Pacific Coast than on the Great Plains. The American 
Rough-leg is almost anything in plumage, 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 I referred to this species; and 
Dr. Cooper* mentions that he saw young birds near the mouth of the 
Columbia River in July 1855; yet I am inclined to think that ferruginens 
is the only breeding form in Washington and that all references to the 
occurrence of sancti-johannis hereabouts in summer are due to puzzling 
disguises of the “Squirrel Hawk.” 
a. Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., Vol. XIL, p. ID, 1860, p. 149 
