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Remarks (Its feathered tarsi)

Its feathered tarsi and heavily marked under parts characterize this species.

Range.-North America, breeding north of the United States and wintering as far south as Virginia. Washington, rare and irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, not uncommon T. V., Nov.; Mch.; a few winter.

Nest, on rocky ledges or in trees. Eggs, two to five, dull white, sometimes unmarked, but generally more or less spotted, blotched, or scrawled with cinnamon-brown or chocolate, 2.20 x 1.75. "The Rough-leg is one of the most nocturnal of our Hawks, and may be seen in the fading twilight watching from some low perch or beating with measured, noiseless flight over its hunting ground. It follows two very different methods in securing its food-one by sitting on some stub or low tree and watching the ground for the appearance of its prey, as the Red-tail does; the other by beating back and forth just above the tops of the grass or bushes and dropping upon its victim, after the manner of the Marsh Hawk. "The flight of the Rough-leg is seldom rapid and often appears FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. labored, and when on the wing this Hawk resembles the Osprey more than any other bird of prey. ... "Of 49 stomachs examined, 40 contained mice; 5, other mammals; 1, lizards; 1, insects; and 4 were empty" (Fisher). 348. Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.). FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG. Ad., light phase. - Upper parts mostly rufous, the centers of the feathers fuscous; tail grayish white, margined with rufous; legs rufous, barred with black; rest of under parts white, more or less barred with rufous on the sides and belly; tarsi fully feathered in front. Im. - Upper parts dark grayish brown, slightly varied with ochraceous-buff'; tail silvery grayish brown, without bars, the base white; under parts white, lightly spotted and streaked with fuscous. Dark phase. Dark fuscous-brown, more or less varied with rufous; primaries and tail as in the ad. L., 23.00; W., 17.00; T., 10.50.