123 



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

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



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

 pus sancti-johannis. L, 22. The largest of our 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 dark abdominal 

 band and 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 of the wing are all good 

 field marks. 



Nesting. In the far north on 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 only distinguished from the European and Asiatic bird 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. 



Economic Status. Though our largest Hawk, it is the least harmful 

 one. Of 45 stomachs examined, 40 contained mice; 5, other mammals; 

 1, lizard; 1, empty. A record like this is enough to condemn the indis- 

 criminate killing of Hawks. The feet of the Rough-leg are weak and 

 incapable of holding large prey; it is, therefore, a mouse-hawk par excel- 

 lence. It also feeds on grasshoppers and has been known at times to do 

 most excellent work controlling plagues of these destructive insects. 



GENERA AQUILA AND HALI^ETUS. EAGLES. 



The Eagles are our largest Birds of Prey. Size alone will differentiate 

 them from the Hawks. Any Bird of Prey over 30 inches long or 6 feet in 

 extent is an Eagle. Contrary to usual conception, the Eagle is not the 

 noble bird of prey usually pictured. It is typically an overgrown Buzzard. 

 Much of its quarry is of large size, but it is rarely dangerous to human 

 interests. In some sections young lambs are occasionally threatened, 

 but in eastern Canada Eagles can be looked upon more as scavengers 

 than anything else, taking little of economic value and subsisting mostly 

 on offal. 



349. Golden Eagle. FR. L'AIGLE DORE. Aquila chrysaetos. L, 30. A large, dark- 

 brown Eagle, the head suffused with faint ochraceous suggesting the name golden and the 

 basal half of tail with broken greyish bars against dull white. Tarsus feathered to the 

 toes. 



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