ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. 79 



RAPTORES. FALCONIDJE. 



PLATE XVI. 



ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. 

 Buteo Lagopus. 



The Rough-legged Buzzard is found in nearly all parts of 

 the world, and in all latitudes, from the southern parts 

 of Africa to the Arctic circle. These northern regions are, 

 however, only visited during summer or the breeding season, 

 and deserted on the approach of winter : this species is, conse- 

 quently, less stationary in its place of residence than the 

 common buzzard, being in the northern a summer, and in the 

 equatorial countries a winter visiter, and chiefly known in the 

 central parts of Europe during its vernal and autumnal mi- 

 grations. 



In England, the Rough-legged Buzzard is much less com- 

 mon than the preceding species ; it has, however, been met 

 with occasionally at all seasons, and although most frequently 

 seen in spring and autumn, has been observed in winter by 

 Mr. Selby, and has also been seen in the summer in York- 

 shire, where it has been known to breed. 



Open country, interspersed with wood and marshy land, 

 is the favourite resort of this species : in such places it may 

 be seen sitting with drooping wings and ruffled feathers. Its 

 flight is slow and noiseless, and performed apparently without 

 much exertion : this exercise is frequently continued until a 

 late hour in the evening, approximating in this respect, as 

 well as in its noiseless flight, to the habits of the owls. The 



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