198 
Minnesota southward. Only a migrant, almost a winter visitor, in cultivated sections 
of Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Rough-leg Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis is 
separated from the European Rough-leg by being double instead of single phased, and 
thus presents an analogous case to that of the Eastern and Western Red-tailed Hawks 
where the same distinction occurs. 
This is an early spring and late autumn visitor to our marshes where 
it is often seen beating up and down over the sere surface, dropping occas- 
ionally into the grass, and then resorting to some nearby fence-post or 
other little elevation to devour its catch. More commonly, however, it is 
noted circling in large, loose flocks, so high in the air as to be seen with 
difficulty, and slowly drifting north or south on its migrations. 
Economic Status. Its talons are small and weak for so large a bird, 
and it confines its attentions to small mammal game. It may sometimes 
pick up a wounded bird left by the shooters, but occasions of its taking 
anything of economic value are practically unknown. 
Though one of our largest Hawks, it is among the three least harm- 
ful. Of 45 stomachs examined, 40 contained mice; 5, other mammals; 
1, lizard; 1, empty. A record like this is enough to condemn the indis- 
criminate killing of Hawks. It is a mouse-hawk par excellence. It also 
feeds on grasshoppers and has been known at times to do most excellent 
work controlling plagues of these destructive insects. 
348. Ferruginous Rough-leg. bqotrrel hawk, gopher hawk, chap-hawk. 
Archibuteo ferrugineus. L, 24. Plate XXVII A. A characteristic light plumage is shown in 
the plate. There is also a complete dark brown phase, that is inseparable from the dark 
Swainson’s Hawk, shown in Plate XXVI B. A lighter coloration has the whole under- 
E arts, pure, uniform white, very slightly streaked, and the pantaloons or thighs white, or 
eavily barred with dark rusty in striking contrast with the white abdomen and breast. 
The whole tail may be white, but usually darkens slightly towards the tip. 
Figure 219 
Feathered tarsus of Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk; 
scale, $. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a Rough-leg by its feathered tarsi (Figure 219). 
The breast shows a large amount of pure white which the American Rough-leg never does, 
and it never has the general ochraceous tone nor the sharply defined dark abdominal band 
of that species. The tail is white, often gradually darkening towards tip, but never with 
well-defined dark terminal band. In no plumage has it the patternless intermixture of 
black and light sometimes seen in the American Rough-leg. The most certain and final 
distinction, however, between these two species, is the shape of the bill. That of the 
Ferruginous when examined from above is wide and heavy at the base instead of narrow 
and constricted, and presents a “frog-mouth” appearance (compare Figures 221 and 218). 
Field Marks. A veiy large Buzzard, the Vulture, Eagle, and Osprey only being 
larger (Figure 201-4). Separated from the most characteristic American Rough-leg 
plumage by white breast and abdomen, and absence of dark terminal band to tail. Rough- 
legs summering within organized provinces are almost certain to be this species, and are 
likely to be confused only with the Red-tailed or Swainson’s Hawks. The ruddy coloration 
