8 
NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 
Description. Bill compressed ; edge of upper mandible slightly undulated. Eyebrows 
prominent; third quill longest; fourth nearly equal. Tail moderately rounded. Tarsi thickly 
covered with short feathers, which project over the insertion of the toes. Wings reaching 
nearly to the tail. 
Color. Mostly black and chocolate-brown. Head and upper parts of the neck and body 
streaked with brownish black. Upper surface of wings black or brown. Belt across the 
belly dark, often black. Upper tail-coverts white, with interrupted bars of black or brownish 
black. Feathers on the thighs light reddish brown, with angular spots of dark brown. Breast 
pale yellowish, with interrupted streaks of light brown. Bill bluish black. Cere yellow. 
Length, 20'0-25 , 0. 
This species exhibits such variations in its plumage, as to have occasioned some confusion 
among systematic writers. It was originally described by Gmelin and Latham as a distinct 
species, F. S. Joannis. Wilson described one form as identical with F. lagopus of Europe, 
in which he was followed by all ornithologists down to 1838, when Bonaparte separated it 
from that species. The other form was described as new, under the name of niger, and so 
received until Bonaparte confirmed Wilson’s previous suspicions by arranging it under its 
present name ; leaving, however, the old name of lagopus to stand, and thus making two 
nominal species, which, however he finally united into one. 
The Rough-legged, Buzzard, or Black Hatch, is a northern species, rarely found beyond 
Carolina. In this State, where it is often called the Marsh Hawk, it is rarely seen except in 
the autumn and winter, proceeding northward in the spring, and has been observed as high 
as the 68th parallel of north latitude. Its usual haunts are low grounds, where it preys upon 
mice, small birds, frogs, etc. Its flight is low and leisurely, and it appears to be more noc¬ 
turnal in its habits than any other species of the family. 
