HAWES OF THE CANADIAN PRAIRIE PROVINCES. 
9 
with a brown barred tail, and a decided band of brown across the breast 
which may have a reddish or even a purplish cast. 
The two Rough-legs, sometimes called “Chap” Hawks, are distin- 
guished from all other Canadian hawks by having the legs feathered 
down to the base of the toes (Figure 3). They are the largest, at least 
in appearance, of our real hawks, though an examination will show that 
they have comparatively small and weak feet incapable of holding prey 
of any strength or size. There are no data available indicating that 
they ever take birds at all and they seem to confine their attention 
almost exclusively to the smaller animals and reptiles. The Ferruginous 
Rough-leg (length 22-24§ inches) is a common breeder in the southern 
parts of the western prairie provinces. In characteristic light plumage 
it shows a mixture of reddish and brown above with tail white at base 
Figure 4. Narrow bill of American Rough-leg. 
Figure 5. Wide bill of Ferruginous Rough-leg. 
reddening toward the tip : it is pure white below with slight dark marking 
on flunks; the thighs are closely though finely barred with reddish brown. 
I he American Rough-leg breeds in the far north, appearing in the 
settled parts of Canada only as a migrant. It is a slightly less powerful 
bird than the Ferruginous Rough-leg and, coming on the prairies after 
the gophers have holed up for the winter and before they come out in 
the spring, is of less economic importance. It confines itself to mice and 
such small vermin, and, therefore, is decidedly useful. 
The American Rough-leg (length 20-22 inches) in its most character- 
istic light plumage is brown above, more or less mixed with lighter tints, 
