88 TTIK IIAWKH ANP OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Mr. II. W. Ilcnsliaw j;fivo8 tlie following; iclativo to ilic food of this 

 species: " Utali Luke and Mie surrouiidinj^' maislies Jittiact iiiultitudea 

 of water fowlj and this undoubtedly <'xi)l}iins in part the abnndance 

 ofliavvks iit tliis season, since wounded and disabled ducks must form 

 no in<;on.siderablepart of their food. In its nianjuM- of hunting it much 

 resembles the foregoing si)ecies |S(|uirrel IJawk|, and it subsists to 

 a gieat extent ui)on mice, wiiicli are very nuincrcms in the ruslies. 

 In the stomachs of every individual captured |eleven in numberj were 

 found tlie remains of these little animals." (Exphn-. West of the 100th 

 Merid., Wheeler, vol. V, 1875, p. 42(5.) 



The examination of such a considerable nnnd^er of specimens fiom a 

 locality in wiiicii miillil iides of dncksoccur, and the finding of nothing 

 but the rejiuiins of mice is (piilc eoneInsi\e <'vidence that the, former 

 is not tJM'ir favorite food, liecently Mr. II(;nsiiaw infoi ine«l the wiiter 

 that the above statement relative to this hawk feeding on water fowl 

 wasl)asedon repoits of gunners, which he now believes to be incorrect. 

 IJesides lemmings and meadow mice the kouglileg leeilsat times quite 

 extensively on other species of mice, ground squirrels, moles, shrews, 

 and ev<^n rabbits. (Japt. Bendir<; states that while it remains at Camp 

 Harney, Oregon, its piincii>al food <;onsists of cottvn tail rabbits. 



Among the earlier writers, Wilson gives the following about its food: 

 "This handsouK' sjiecies notwithstanding its formidabh^ size and a])- 

 pearaui'e, spends the <,'hief i)art of the winter among our low swami)S 

 and meadows, walehing for mieC/, frogs, lame du(;ks, ami other inglori- 

 ous game." Aiulu))on says: " It feeds principally on moh^s, mice, and 

 other small quadrupeds, and never attacks ducks on the wing, although 

 now and tiien it pursnes a, wounded one." Nuttall gives mice, moles, 

 and IrogK as its food and ((uotes Tennant as authority for the statement 

 tliat it feeds on ducks. 



We find v<'ry little information as to whether the Kough leg feeds 

 extensi\ely on insects, or of the kinds which it tlevours. Prof. Sannu'l 

 Aughey found the remains of seventy insects besides other food in the 

 stomaidi of a specimen shot in Nebraska in ►S(^ptem])er. Tt is presumable 

 that like the liutcos it at times feeds extensivcdy on grassh(>ppers, 

 crickets, and beetles. Jt is credited with feeding on snakes, lizards, 

 ij'ogs, and toads, thongh th<' writ<'r has never found the remains of any 

 of tiiese animals in tin; stomachs (examined, and liiids but a lew general 

 remarks on the subje(;t in the books. 



Although oiu', of the largest hawks, the Rough leg is undoubtedly one 

 of the most harndess, so far as molesting ponltiy and game is concerned. 

 Pennant is chieHy accountable for any prejudice that may be felt 

 against the bird, for he asserted that it fed largely on ducks, and re- 

 marked that it ''sits oil a. ro(d; and wat(diing their rising, when it 

 instantly strikes at them." This statement has been coi)ied by various 

 authors, especially the earlier ones, until now there are many people 

 who really believe it. The writer has yet to rceet anyone who has 



