302 ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 
ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.—FALCO LAGOPUS. — Fic. 147. 
Arct. Zool. p. 200, No. 92.— Lath. i. 15.— Peale’s Museum, No. 116. 
BUTEO LAGOPUS. — Becustz1n? 
Rough-legged Falcon, Mont. Ornith. Dict. Supp.— Bew. Br. Birds, Supp.— 
Rough-legged Buzzard, Selby’s Ilust. Br. Ormth. i. Be 20, pl. 7.— Falco lago- 
pus, Zemm. Man. i. p. 65.— Bonap. Synop. p. 32. — Buteo lagopus, Flem. Br. 
Anim. p.54.— North. Zool. ii. p. 52. 
Tnis handsome species, notwithstanding its formidable size and ap- 
pearance, spends the chief part of the winter among our low swamps 
and meadows, watching for mice, frogs, lame ducks, and other inglo- 
rious game. Twenty or thirty individuals of this family have regularly 
taken up their winter quarters, for several years past, and probably 
long anterior to that date, in the meadows below this city, between 
the Rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, where they spend their time watch- 
ing along the dry banks like cats; or sailing low and slowly over the 
surface of the ditches. ‘Though rendered shy from the many attempts 
made to shoot them, they seldom fly far, usually from one tree to another 
at no great distance, making a loud squealing as they arise, something 
resembling the neighing of a young colt, though in a more shrill and 
savage tone. 
The bird represented in Fig. 147 was one of this fraternity ; and 
several others of the same association have been obtained and exam- 
ined during the present winter. On comparing these with Pennant’s 
description, referred to above, they correspond so exactly, that no doubts 
remain of their being the same species. ‘Towards the beginning of 
markable, that perhaps more Kestrels build and bring to maturity their young in 
ondon, than in any space of the same dimensions : the breeding-places there are 
the belfries cf the different churches, where neither the bustle beneath, nor the jingle 
of the bells seems to have any effect upon them. 
We have we following characteristic observations on this species in the Northern 
Zoology : — 
i Tr the vicinity of Carlton House, where the plains are begutifully ornamented 
by numerous small clumps of aspens, that give a rich, pictiresie effect to the land- 
scape, which I have never seen equalled in an English park, thigsmall Falcon was fre- 
quently discovered, perched upon the most lofty tree in the clump, sitting with his 
eye apparently closed, but, nevertheless, sufficiently awake to what was going on, 
as it would occasionally evince, by suddenly pouncing upon any small bird that 
happened to come within its reach. It is the least shy of any of the American 
Hawks ; and, when on its perch, will suffer the fowler to advance to the foot of the 
tree, provided he has the precaution to make a slow and devious approach. He is 
not, however, unnoticed ; for the bird shows, by the motion of its head, that he is 
carefully watching his manoeuvres, though, unless he walks directly towards it,'it 
1s not readily alarmed. When at rest, the wings are closely applied to the sides, 
with their tips lying over the tail, about one third from its end; and the tail itself, 
being closely shut.up, looks long and narrow. If its suspicion be excited, it raises 
and depresses its head quickly two or three times, and spreads its tail, but does not 
open its wings until the instant it takes its flight. The individuals shot at Carlton 
ouse, had mice and small birds in their stomachs. They were not observed by 
the expedition beyond the 54th degree of latitude.” — Ep, 
