ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

347a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. 21 inches.

These are large, heavily built birds of prey, specially characterized by the completely feathered legs to the feet; in the normal plumage has a whitish head, neck, breast and tail, the former being streaked and the latter barred with blackish; remainder of upper and under parts, blackish brown. Eyes brown. In the dark phase they are blackish brown, more or less mixed with rusty, the tail remaining the same as in the light plumage.

Nest.—Is made of sticks and smaller twigs, lined with leaves and moss, placed in trees or more often on ledges. They lay three or four bluish white eggs, boldly blotched with different shades of brown, oftener about the larger end (2.25 × 1.75).