40 THE BIRDS OF XORTHAMPTOXSHIRE 



the time of its visit) I did not myself see, was con- 

 stantly seen and watched in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of this house, in the months of December 

 1876 and January and February 1877, by various 

 trustworthy persons, from whose detailed accounts I 

 have no doubt of its having been one of the present 

 species. I Avould not allow it to be shot at or 

 molested in any way, and it appears to have become 

 very fearless and permitted a near approach ; it was 

 constantly persecuted by Rooks and Crows, of which 

 it took little notice, but finally disappeared about the 

 middle of February. The Rough-legged Buzzard may 

 be easily distinguished from the common species, 

 when seen from below, by its larger size and generally 

 by the greater amount of white on the lower parts. 

 There are authentic instances on record of the 

 breeding of this species in England ; but these are 

 exceptional ; the true home of the bhd is in Northern 

 Europe and Asia, where it is reported to prey upon 

 small mammalia and water-fowl, and to nest generally 

 in trees, but occasionally in cliffs. Several Rough- 

 legged Buzzards, which I have kept in confinement, 

 seemed quiet, sluggish birds, by no means wild, and 

 lived peaceably with various other birds of prey. I 

 never heard them utter any cry. 



For other supposed occurrences of this species in 

 Northamptonshire without capture or positive identi- 

 fication, cf. my communications to ' Zoologist,' dated 

 November 20, 1885, January 20, 1891, and December 

 12, 1891. 



