128 



This species occurs in eastern Canada only as a rare straggler from 

 the west and should be identified with the greatest care. Though a 

 prairie bird, its habits are too similar to the last species and it is too rare 

 to require detailed mention. 



343. Broad-winged Hawk. FR. LA BUSE DE PENSYLVANIE. Buteo platypte^-us. 

 L, 15 89. The smallest of our Buteos. Adults brown above, underparts all barred with 

 reddish brown and white in rather coarse pattern. Juveniles brown above with more 

 or less white irregularly scattered through; below, white with brown stripes or breast 

 to throat and bars on flanks and legs. 



Distinctions. Size will distinguish this species from the young Red-shouldered Hawk 

 which juveniles may resemble. Three attenuated or emarginated primaries (See under 

 previous species) instead of four will differentiate it from both that species and the 

 Cooper's Hawk with which it also might be confused. 



Field Marks. Size, general coloration of adults, and its long, fine^sharp call like the 

 drawn-out squeak of a rusty barndoor hinge are good field characters. 



Nesting. In trees, 25 to 70 feet from the ground. 



Distribution. Eastern North America northward to the bounds of settlement. 

 Breeds locally in eastern Canada in all except the most southern parts of Ontario, and 

 far south in the Mississippi valley. 



Local in distribution and prefers the wilder sections. 



Economic Status. Of 57 stomachs examined, 2 contained small birds; 

 15, mice; 13, other mammals; 11, reptiles; 13, batrachians (frogs, etc.); 

 30, insects; 2, earthworms; 4, crawfish. Without further analysis this 

 evidence is sufficient to free this species from any stigma of being harmful. 



Genus Archibuteo. Rough-legged Hawks. 



347a. Rough-legged Hawk. FR. LA BUSE PATTUE D'AMERIQUE. Archibuteo 

 lagopus sancti-johannis. L, 22. The largest of o>ir true Hawks. It occurs in two 

 phases: one all dark, almost black; and the other light, of almost infinite variety of colour, 

 tone, and pattern. All intermediate stages occur. The most common form is brown 

 above more or less mixed with ochre, especially about head, and ochre below with broad 

 dark abdominal band and scattered stripes on breast and throat. The tarsus, being 

 feathered to the toes, is the basis of the common name and is characteristic of the genus. 



Distinctions. Large size and the feathering of the tarsus to the base of the toes is 

 diagnostic. 



Field Marks. Large size, broad masses of black below, tail white at base (not a 

 white rump), and prominent black wrist marks on the under-surface at the bend of the 

 wing are all good field marks. 



Nesting. In the far north. On the ground, on rocky ledges, or in trees. 



Distribution. As a species, inhabiting the northern portions of the northern hemi- 

 sphere. The American form is found from Mexico to the Arctic. Breeds on or near the 

 barren grounds. 



SUBSPECIES. The Rough-legged Hawk is represented in the New and Old 

 Worlds by two subspecies. The one peculiar to America is the American Rough-legged 

 A. I. sancti-johannis and is distinguished from the European and Asiatic bird only by 

 its slightly lighter colour and the greater rarity of the black phase. 



This large Hawk is only a migrant in settled Canada to or from the 

 barren grounds of the north. It is a bird of large marsh expanses and can 

 be seen beating over the grass until late in the evening something after 

 the style of the Marsh Hawk. Usually, however, it is observed high in 

 the air working its way gradually, with many pauses and circlings, to or 

 from its breeding grounds. Owing to the dichromatism of the species an 

 almost infinite variety of plumages may be found. 



