280 OSPBEY 



Sometimes lie mounts aloft for the express pur- 

 pose of dropping to the earth in a series of som- 

 ersaults ; at others, as Mr. Thompson describes 

 it, " he flies across the marsh in a course which 

 would outline a gigantic saw, each of the de- 

 scending parts being done in a somersault and 

 accompanied by the screeching notes which form 

 the only love-song within the range of his lim- 

 ited vocal powers." 



He is not only an ardent wooer but a devoted 

 mate, carrying food to the brooding bird, who flies 

 out to meet him and dexterously seizes the morsel 

 which he drops in her talons. 



Osprey ; Fish Hawk. : Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. 



(Plate XVIII.) 



Geographic Distribution. — North x\meriea ; breeds from 

 Florida to Hudson Bay and Alaska ; winters from South Caro- 

 lina to northern South America. 



" This species lives in colonies, and also in 

 pairs, along our coasts, returning year after year 

 to the same nesting ground. Its food consists 

 solely of fish, which as a rule it captures alive. 

 Winging its way slowly over the water, it keeps 

 a keen watch for fish which may appear near the 

 surface. When one is observed it pauses, hovers 

 a moment, and then closing its wings, descends 

 with a speed and directness of aim that generally 

 insure success. It strikes the water with great 

 force, making a loud sj^lash, and frequently dis- 



