BIRDS OF THE COMMONS 61 



Eggs. Two. White ; blotched, mottled, clouded, 

 veined and marbled with brown of two or three shades 

 and lilac. Oval in shape. 



ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo lagopus). 



A more or less regular winter visitor, haunting moun- 

 tainous districts and waste lands. 



Observation. Distinguish from Common Buzzard by 

 the creamy white on head and white on tail. 



Plumage. Head and neck creamy white streaked 

 with reddish brown ; upper parts dark brown, blotched 

 and marked with dull white and rufous. Base of tail 

 white and conspicuous, barred near tip with brown ; 

 under parts buffish white barred with brown. Bill, 

 blackish. Feet and cere yellow. Legs feathered to 

 toes, unlike Common Buzzard. Length, 23 in. Female 

 similar, but larger, 26 in. Young browner above, with 

 less white on tail, and under parts streaked and not 

 barred. 



Language. Like Common Buzzard, and resembling 

 the mewing of a cat. 



Habits. Flight more powerful than Common Buzzard, 

 and rather resembling that of an Eagle when it soars 

 and circles high in the air. 



Food. Mammals up to the size of a leveret ; also 

 birds and reptiles. 

 Nidification. Breeds in Northern Europe and Asia. 



STONE CURLEW ((Edicnemus scolopax). 



April to October. Very local, being almost confined 

 (at any rate in the breeding season) to chalk-downs. 



