52 



347a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmelin) — American Rough- 

 legged Hawk. 

 A rather rare winter visitant in middle and southern Nebraska, 

 but more common in the northern part of state. Breeds chiefly north 

 of the United States. West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Neligh, Cherry 

 county. 



348. *Archibuteo ferrugineus (Lichtenstein) — Ferruginous Rough-leg. 



This is the common rough-legged hawk in the state and occurs 

 throughout. It is less common in the eastern portion, but becomes 

 more plentiful as we approach the middle and western sections of the 

 state. It nests in moderate numbers in the sand-hills, and com- 

 monly along Pine ridge and about the buttes of western and north- 

 western Nebraska. It is a ground bird to a great extent, and fre- 

 quents the vicinity of prairie dog towns, upon the inhabitants of 

 which it preys. • 



349. *Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus) — Golden Eagle. 



This magnificent bird is found in moderate numbers throughout 

 the state in winter, but is more common westward. Owing to its 

 large size, fearless nature, and carrion-eating habits, we have numer- 

 ous records of its occurrence each year, and a few still breed annuall}' 

 in Scott's Bluff, Sioux, and Dawes counties. It bred quite generally 

 over the state years ago. 



352. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus) — Bald Eagle. 



Much less common than the preceding, and seems to be confined 

 chiefly to our larger water-courses even during its migrations. It 

 probably formerly bred in the more heavily wooded portions of 

 northeastern Nebraska, and it is likely that a few still do so, but 

 there are no definite breeding records. It likes to nest near where the 

 Osprey makes its summer home so as to have - an opportunity to rob 

 the latter of its catch and save the work for itself. Many records. 



[354. Falco rusticolus Linnaeus — Gray Gyrfalcon. 



This northern faLcon has been taken at Vermillion, S. Dak., and is 

 known to wander casually south to Kansas. It is included here on 

 the strength of a record of a single specimen seen by Bruner at West 

 Point, but not positively identified; another, probably the same 

 species, was reported to him as seen at Norfolk.] 



355. *Falco mexicanus Schlegel — Prairie Falcon. 



Over the entire state in migrations ; rare in eastern portions, rather 

 common westward; a few are resident, but the majority move south 

 in late fall, and return in early spring. It is a regular breeder in 

 Dawes and Sioux counties, where it nests during May and June 

 upon ledges on the faces of perpendicular cliffs. 



356. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonaparte) — Duck Hawk. 



A rare but regular migrant over the entire state. Lincoln, Omaha, 

 West Point, Neligh, Dawes county. It probably breeds in this last 



