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SAPECIES 13. FdLCO LdGOPUS..*
             ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
                [Plate XXXIII.-Fig. 1.]
.drct. Zool. p. 200, JXo. 92.-LATHAM, I, 75.-PEALE'S JMIUSeum
                         .JVo. 1 16.
  Tins handsome species, notwithstanding its formidable size
and appearance, spends the chief part of the winter among our
low swamps and meadows, watching for mice, frogs, lame
ducks, and other inglorious game. Twenty or thirty individu-
als of this family have regularly taken up their winter quar-
ters, for several years past, and probably long anterior to that
date, in the meadows below this city, between the rivers Dela-
ware and Schuylkill, where they spend their time watching
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, usual-
ly from one tree to another, at no great distance, making a loud
squecling 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 spe-
cies. 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 Mary-
land, and numerous in the extensive meadows below Newark,
  'We add the following synonyines; LATH. Ind. Orn. p. 19.-GMEL. Syst. In
. 260.- iEMxn Manl d'Orn , p 65W