ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 
55 
clucks, and other inglorious game. Twenty or thirty indi- 
viduals of this family have regularly taken up their winter 
quarters, for several years past, and probably long anterior to 
that date, in the meadows below this city, between the rivers 
Delaware and Schuylkill, where they spend their time watch- 
ing along the dry banks like cats ; or sailing low and slowly 
over the surface of the ditches. Though rendered shy from 
the many attempts made to shoot them, they seldom fly far, 
usually from one tree to another at no great distance, making 
a loud squeeling as they arise, something resembling the 
neighing of a young colt, though in a more shrill and savage 
tone. 
The bird represented in the plate was one of this fraternity, 
and several others of the same association have been obtained and 
examined during the present winter. On comparing these with 
Pennant’s description referred to above, they correspond so 
exactly, that no doubts remain of their being the same species. 
Towards the beginning of April, these birds abandon this part 
of the country, and retire to the north to breed. 
They are common, during winter, in the lower parts of 
Maryland, and numerous in the extensive meadows below 
Newark, New Jersey ; are frequent along the Connecticut 
River ; and, according to Pennant, inhabit England, Norway, 
and Lapmark. Their flight is slow and heavy. They are 
often seen coursing over the surface of the meadows, long 
after sunset, many times in pairs. They generally roost on 
the tall detached trees that rise from these low grounds ; and 
take their stations, at day-break, near a ditch, bank, or hay 
stack, for hours together, watching, with patient vigilance, 
for the first unlucky frog, mouse, or lizard, to make its 
appearance. The instant one of these is descried, the Hawk, 
itself, being closely shut up, looks long and narrow. If its suspicion be 
excited, it raises and depresses its head quickly two or three times, and spreads 
its tail, but does not open its wings until the instant it takes its flight. The 
individuals shot at Carlton House, had mice and small birds in their stomachs. 
They were not observed by the expedition beyond the 54th degree of latitude. 
— Ed. 
