50 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
tail. It is somewhat remarkable that the Rough-legged Buzzard was un- 
recognized here until December 6th, 1876, the common species occurring 
almost every year about November 1st. On December 6th I went to a well- 
known haunt of the Common Buzzard to see if any were about, and I at 
once perceived two Bnzzards hovering over a wood. I noticed several pecu- 
liarities in their appearance. Their heads were conspicuously light in colour, 
and their long wings and hovering flight gave them a somewhat aquiline 
appearance. Waiting about the place, I very soon had a good view of one 
which was being chased by a Hooded Crow, and presently settled on a low 
tree. I had now no doubt what they were. The whitish head, white basal 
half of the tail, whitish under side of the wings, darkeband across the belly, 
and yellowish edgings to the upper plumage, all convinced me that they 
were the rough-legged species. Seen on the wing, the mottled plumage of 
the back presented a sort of marbled appearance, with alternate light and 
shade. Seen sitting, the yellowish edgings predominated, making the bird 
look like the light-coloured race of the Sea Eagle which is found in Egypt. 
The light under side of the wings, excepting one dark spot, is a very sure 
mark of distinction from the Common Buzzard. But, above all, the flight 
is unmistakably different. It is almost the difference between a Kestrel 
and a Sparrowhawk, the wings of Archibuteo lagopus being long ant slightly 
pointed, instead of straight and round: this feature is very noticeable when 
the bird is flying away from you, the points of the wings being directed 
backwards. In the rapid beating of the wings, with alternate smooth 
glidings and shootings, the Roughlegged Buzzard resembles the Hawks 
and Falcons rather than the Buzzards. Sometimes even he will sweep 
along with curved wings almost like a Sea Gull. The head looks less 
heavy than in the common species. I am sorry to say that within forty- 
eight hours one of these fine birds was trapped at a Pigeon, which was 
supposed to have been killed by a Sparrowhawk. On the 18th and 19th 
December I saw the other. When disturbed he perched on the very top of 
a tall ash, from which he watched the intruder intently. While looking at 
the two Rough-legged Buzzards on December 6th they were joined by a 
third bird, uniformly brown in colour, and with shorter and rounder wing, 
This I have little doubt was a Common Buzzard. In November last 
I twice saw a Firecrest here, in company with Goldcrests among bracken. 
I noticed the black stripe through the eye, which readily distinguishes this 
bird from the commoner species.—CuIrron. 
E1pers IN THE Estuary or tHe Moy, Country Mayo.—On the 4th 
of March, 1870, when visiting the islaud of Bartragh with two friends, our 
attention was attracted by a pair of large ducks resting at low water on the 
edge of the channel near the bar. They appeared to be much larger than 
Mallards, and looked almost as dark as Scoters, with the exception of the 
front of the neck and upper part of the breast, which were white, and a 
