330 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



Boltby, near Thirsk, February 1904, three trapped. 



Gatherly Moor, near Richmond, one caught alive in 

 November. 



Swaledale, one in November. 



Wharfedale, November, several seen in various places ; 

 it was calculated that nine at least were observed, besides 

 four others which were captured. 



An examination of several specimens obtained during 

 1876-77, and many of those killed in 1903-4, resulted in the 

 discovery that, with one exception in each case, they were 

 all in immature plumage and light tawny-coloured birds 

 with the upper parts mottled with lightish brown, whilst 

 the breast, belly, and thighs were striped longitudinally 

 with the same tint ; the irides were pale straw colour. The 

 exceptional bird was of a generally uniform dark brown colour. 



On going through the numerous instances of winter 

 occurrence in this county, I can only find mention made of 

 two mature birds ; one of these was taken at Patrington in 

 January 1877, and described as an old male. On 25th May 

 1877, I found on the sands at Redcar the remains of a 

 Rough-legged Buzzard, which had apparently died while 

 crossing the sea and had been washed ashore. This is the 

 only instance of late spring migration which has come under 

 my notice. The occurrence of this species in mature plumage 

 in the British Isles is of the greatest rarity. 



Its former breeding on the ground at Hackness, near 

 Scarborough (A. G. More, Ibis, 1865), is no longer regarded 

 as worthy of consideration. 



During the autumn, winter, and spring this species has 

 occurred at one time or another in all parts of the county, 

 being especially numerous in the vicinity of the coast. As the 

 recorded and communicated instances are so very numerous, 

 and the bird is regarded as an annual visitant, an enumeration 

 of the localities is quite unnecessary. 



Although in cultivated or low-lying country the Rough- 

 legged Buzzard feeds largely on rats, voles, and such " small 

 deer," it cannot be acquitted of the offence of killing game, 

 and when opportunity offers it is an inveterate poacher ; 



