THE AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. 411 



plain, grayish brown; primaries with basal white on external web; markings of 

 under parts confluent on belly in a broad, unbroken, abdominal belt of deep 

 brown; thighs spotted with dusky. Adult and immature, melanistic phase: 

 Entire plumage black, in any degree, save that the tail is white-barred and pri- 

 maries exhibit some basal white. This phase is quite common, and seems to 

 be independent of age, sex, or season. Both sexes length 19.50-23.50 (495.3- 

 596.9) ; wing 15.75-18.00 (400.1-475.2) ; tail 9.00-11.00 (228.6-279.4) ; oilmen 

 from cere .So-xjo (20.3-22.9). Female about two inches longer than male and 

 correspondingly proportioned. 



Recognition Marks. Brant size ; feathered tarsi distinctive ; best recognized 

 in the field by its, usually, dark coloration and heavy flight; basal white of tail 

 also distinctive if properly discriminated from that of the upper tail-coverts of 

 the Marsh Hawk. 



Nesting. Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, a bulky affair placed high 

 in trees or on ledges of rock; of sticks, fairly well-lined with bark strips, leaves, 

 and soft materials. Eggs, 2 or 3, sometimes 4 or 5, bluish white or dull white, 

 sometimes unmarked, but oftener spotted, blotched, or streaked with reddish 

 brown or chocolate. Av. size, 2.22 x 1.78 (56.4 x 44.7). 



General Range. North America north to Mexico, breeding north of the 

 United States (excepting in Alaska.). 



Range in Ohio. Not uncommon, but irregular winter visitor in northern 

 Ohio. Rare in middle and southern portions. 



A large dark-colored bird, "bigger than a Hawk and not as big as an 

 Eagle", seen in winter flying heavily to and fro across the meadow at a low 

 height, or perching for considerable stretches of time on pasture boulders, 

 fence-posts, or low trees, may safely be put down in the note-book as an Amer- 

 ican Rough-legged 'Buzzard. The species is largely crepuscular, almost noc- 

 turnal, in habit and is to be looked for on dark days rather than bright ones. 

 Its food consists almost exclusively of field mice and the other small rodents, 

 altho an occasional rabbit varies the fare. 



As might be inferred from the humble nature of its quarry, the Rough- 

 leg is a peaceable bird, rather sluggish in movement, and, except where per- 

 secuted, quite unsuspicious of man. 



Altho hopelessly ignoble from a falconer's standpoint, the bird has a fine 

 presence and a bright eye, and would seem to deserve the name 'gentle' rather 

 better than the rapacious Peregrine. Its presence with us in winter is en- 

 tirely beneficial, and it should receive full protection. 



Rev. W. F. Henninger reports the taking of five specimens near Waverly 

 in February and March, 1899, and states that several more were killed the 

 following winter. 



