15 



BOUGH-LEGGED BUZZAKD. 



PLATE VIII. 



Buteo lagopus, FLEMING. 



Falco lagopus, PENNANT. 



LIKE the preceding species and other rapacious birds, the Rough- 

 legged Buzzard seeks the protection of lofty trees or precipitous rocks 

 for the place of its eyrie. 



The nest is composed of sticks, and is slightly lined with soft 

 materials, and, as is the case with many other kindred birds, the 

 original nest is repaired to, and repaired from year to year; a pre- 

 dilection seeming to be entertained for the same building-place, for 

 obvious reasons. 



The eggs, from three to five in number, vary much in colour, some 

 being nearly white; others more or less darkened with blots of a 

 grey hue. 



I cannot anywhere better give than here, 'in limine/ the opinion 

 of H. F. Walter, Esq., which he has favoured me with on this subject, 

 namely that the eggs of all rapacious birds of the Hawk tribe have 

 colour, and only lose their colour when the bird has laid several eggs, 

 the last egg being often white, or nearly so; and that young birds 

 generally lay more colourless eggs than old birds. 



I may here also mention that there seems reason to think that 

 many colourings of various eggs are adventitious, and not intrinsic. 

 Certain it is that they are sometimes easily washed off. 



