| Roughleg | n. (Zool.) Any one of several species of large hawks of the genus ☞ The best known species is Archibuteo lagopus of Northern Europe, with its darker American variety (Sancti-johannis). The latter is often nearly or quite black. The ferruginous roughleg (Archibuteo ferrugineus) inhabits Western North America. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| rough-legged hawk | (n) large hawk of the northern hemisphere that feeds chiefly on small rodents and is beneficial to farmers, Syn. Buteo lagopus, roughleg |