BOUGH-LEGGED BTTZZABD. 41 



The Rough-legged Buzzard preys on rabbits, leverets, rats, 

 mice, moles, frogs, lizards, birds, and insects. When instigated 

 by hunger, it has been known to fly at ducks, and other 

 larger game than the Common Buzzard aims at. In general, 

 however, its habit is not to pursue its prey if on the wing, 

 but to pounce on any which it may suddenly and unawares 

 steal on. A wounded bird it will more readily fly after, conscious 

 that it offers more certain success. 



The note is a loud squeal, somewhat resembling the neighing 

 of a foal, but, says Wilson, more shrill and savage. 



This species breeds occasionally in this country, and I am 

 happy to be able to mention Yorkshire as the county in 

 which the fact was first ascertained, the locality being among 

 the beautiful scenery around Hackness, near Scarborough. The 

 nest resembles that of the Common Buzzard, being composed 

 of sticks, and' but slightly lined. It is built, like those of 

 other birds of the Hawk and Eagle kind, either on high trees, 

 or precipitous and inaccessible cliffs, mountains, or rocks. 



The eggs vary very considerably in colour. Some are found 

 nearly entirely white, others of a dingy or yellowish white, 

 more or less blotted with yellowish brown; some of a greenish 

 white shade, spotted with pale brown, and others with reddisli 

 brown. They are from three to five in number, but generally 

 four. 



The bird before us, like the preceding one, varies also much 

 in plumage, though not quite to so great an extent as it, 

 the brown and the white prevailing in different individuals in 

 a greater or less degree. The belt on the lower part of the 

 breast, and the white at the base of the tail, are the least 

 variable parts, but even these are by no means permanent in 

 shape or depth of colouring. Weight, about two pounds and 

 a half; length, from about one foot ten inches to two feet, 

 or two feet one; bill, bluish black, or horn-colour at the base, 

 and black at the tip; it is weak, small in size, much hooked, 

 and has no tooth, but only a slight inclination towards one; 

 cere, yellow, or greenish yellow, probably according to age; 

 iris, pale yellow, but it occasionally, as is likewise the case 

 with the Common Buzzard, is found to vary, and is brown, 

 or greyish white. The space between the bill and the eye 

 is covered with short bristly feathers. The head, which is very 

 wide and flat above, is light brown, or buff, sometimes yellowish, 

 or yellowish white, streaked with brown. The neck, short, 

 yellowish brown, streaked or spotted with a darker shade of 



