THE AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. 411 
plain, grayish brown; primaries with basal white on external web; markings of 
under parts confluent on belly in a broad, unbroken, abdominal belt of “deep 
brown; thighs spotted with dusky. Adult and immature, melanistic phase: 
Entire ‘plumage black, in any degree, save that the tail is white- barred and pri- 
maries exhibit some basal white. This phase is quite common, and seems to 
be independent of age, sex, or season. Both sexes length 19.50-23.50 (495.3- 
596.9) ; wing 15.75-18.00 (400.1-475.2); tail 9.00-11.00 (228.6-279.4) ; culmen 
from cere .80-.90 (20.3-22.9). Female about two inches longer th ian male and 
correspondingly proportioned. 
Recognition Marks.—Brant size; feathered tarsi distinctive; best recognized 
in the field by its, usually, dark coloration and heavy flight; basal white of tail 
also distinctive if properly discriminated from that of the upper tail-coverts of 
the Marsh Hawk. 
Nesting.—Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, a bulky affair placed high 
in trees or on ledges of rock; of sticks, fairly well-lined with bark strips, 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 to Mexico, breeding north of the 
United States (excepting in Alaska. ) 
Range in Ohio.—Not uncommon, but irregular winter visitor in northern 
Ohio. Rare in middle and southern portions. 
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 trees, may safely be put down in the note-book as an Amer- 
ican Rough-legged Buzzard. ‘The species is largely crepuscular, almost noc- 
turnal, in habit and is to be looked for on dark days rather than bright ones. 
Its food consists almost exclusively of field mice and the other small rodents, 
altho an occasional rabbit varies the 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. 
Altho hopelessly ignoble from a falconer’s standpoint, the bird has a fine 
presence and a bright eye, and would seem to deserve the name ‘gentle’ rather 
better than the rapacious Peregrine. Its presence with us in winter is en- 
tirely beneficial, and it should receive full protection. 
Rev. W. F. Henninger reports the taking of five specimens near Waverly 
in February and March, 1899, and states that several more were killed the 
following winter. 
