m^ 



KOUGH-LEGGED FALCOtl.—Aixhibuleo Lagopiis. 



the common Buzzard, watching for its prey, seizing it, and retiring to the same sjjot ; but 

 it also makes circling flights at a low elevation from the ground, and darts suddenly 

 upon any bird, animal, or reptile tliat may take its fancy. All these movements are per- 

 formed with great deliberation, and the bird is so slow in all its proceedings that Audubon, 

 who had enjoyed many opportunities of watching its habits, says that " the greatest 

 feat he had seen them performing was scrambling at the edge of the water to secure a 

 lethargic frog." He also frequently shot them long after sunset, as they sat patientl}'' 

 waiting for their prey at the edge of a ditch. 



Despite of its laziness, the liough-Legged Falcon is a powerful bird, and is in no wise 

 deficient in strength whenever it chooses to exert itself. When roused by hunger it 

 will not be content merely with frogs and mice, but addresses itself to the capture of 

 larger game, such as wild-ducks and rabbits, the latter of which creatures seem to be 

 a favourite article of diet for this bird, and are almost unfailing in their operation when 

 used to bait a trap. 



Although scarcer than the common Buzzard, the Eough-Legged Falcon still holds 

 its place as an inhabitant of the British Isles, and is occasionally taken throughout Great 

 Britain. Several specimens have been killed in Ireland, one of which, recorded by 

 Mr. Thompson, was knocked on the head with a stick, as it sat gorged and sleepy after its 

 meal. In its stomach were found the remains of several birds and of a full-grown rat 

 which had been torn into four pieces. This bird was killed near Duudonald, in the 

 county of Down. Two other specimens were seen in Kiilinchy, in the same neighbour- 

 hood, and one of them was shot. It is also seen near Scarborough, and used to bixild 

 annually in a rocky dell near Hackness. 



The localities in which the Eough-Legged Falcon are most commonly found, ai-e 

 Northern Europe and North America, where it is quite a common bird. Specimens have 

 been seen on the shores of the Mediterranean, and it is also noted as inhabiting many 

 portions of Africa. The nest of the Rough-Legged Falcon is budt on lofty trees, and 

 contains from two to four eggs of a Ijrownish-white, covered towards the large end 

 with brown blotches. 



In the Honey Buzzard we find a singular instance of a predaceous bird, endowed with 

 many capabilities of catching and destroying tlie ordinary kinds of game, yet preferring 

 to feast upon insect food in preference to the flesh of quadrupeds or birds. 



