4920 THe ZooLocist—May, 1876. 
the neck, and the heart a good deal congested with blood. The centre claw 
of the left foot was gone, but the injury was not recent, as the wound had 
perfectly healed over. In appearance and markings this falcon strongly 
resembled the plate of the Greenland “light race” in Mr. Gould’s work. 
There were a few spots on the back of the bird, and the quill-feathers were 
tipped with black, though not very dark; the tail and the remainder of 
the plumage was of the purest white—John Rocke; Clungunford House, 
Shropshire, April 10, 1876. 
Iceland Falcon in Caithness.—On the 1st instant a very fine specimen 
of the jer-falcon (falco islandicus) was trapped by William Lawson, game- 
keeper, Brubster, Thurso. We had experienced very rough weather some 
short time beforehand, which had no doubt been the cause of this rare bird’s 
visit. It was brought to me to be preserved, and had seemingly been living 
well lately, as it was in beautiful plumage, and weighed three pounds.— 
Nichol M‘Nichol ; Westfield, Thurso, Caithness. (From the ‘ Field,’ April 8.) 
Common Buzzard at Scarborough.—On the 20th of March a common 
buzzard was got near Scarborough ; it was trapped upon a woodcock. Isaw 
both hawk and lure, in the flesh, at the house of Mr. Roberts.—J. H. 
Gurney, jun. 
Common Buzzard in East Yorkshire.x—A female specimen of the common 
buzzard was taken in a trap during the last week in February, at Holme 
Wood, in this Riding. Internally it was a mass of fat. The stomach 
contained nothing but the remains of beetles.—/’. Boyes ; Beverley. 
Roughlegged Buzzard.—Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., says (Zool. 8. S. 4829), 
“Captain Hadfield doubts if this buzzard would prey on any ducks except 
lame ones.” I quoted Wilson (which is shown by inverted commas), with 
whom I agreed. As to the remark that ‘“ Yarrell seems in error in saying 
that the roughlegged buzzard shows a preference for marshy districts,” he 
probably, knowing little or nothing of the habits of the species, would 
naturally refer to Wilson for information, who says that it “spends the 
chief part of the winter among our low swamps and meadows, watching for 
mice, frogs, lame ducks, and other inglorious game.” Having had favourable 
opportuyities for observing the roughlegged buzzard, it being a common 
species in Canada, I think Wilson’s description of its habits cannot well be 
improved on, though I may entertain a doubt as to its power of securing 
even a ‘‘lame duck.” With regard to its “swooping” on a full-grown wild 
duck, or even on a full-grown rabbit, T must beg to question, if not doubt 
it, till duly authenticated. That one was “seen hovering over a pond on 
which there were some tame ducks"—and possibly ducklings, to say 
nothing of frogs and water voles—J can readily believe; also that fur of 
the rabbit was found in the stomach of one, but the question is to what 
sized rabbit it belonged. However, I cannot but think that an ornithologist 
like Wilson must haye been better acquainted with the habits of the rough- 
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