374 BULLETIN 16 7, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



cheeky cheeky ch-cheek^ ch-cJieek^ cheereek^ chezeek, chezeek, gradually 

 increasing to a frenzy of excitement at the last. Another cry sounds 

 like: Tseep^ tsecp^ tseep-whick^ whick^ whick-ick-ick-ck-ck^ dying 

 away in a mere hiccough. And there are endless variations quite 

 incapable of syllabification." 



Dr. Frank M. Chapman (1908) calls the food call "a high, rapidly 

 uttered tweet-tweet-tweet'''' ; probably it is also a note of assurance 

 to the young that danger has passed. William Brewster (1925) says 

 that "in calm summer weather their musical whistled calls, not unlike 

 those of the Purple Martin, but much louder, fall pleasantly on the 

 ear at frequent intervals, coming from far and near over the shining 

 Lake." Dr. Winsor M. Tyler contributes the following impressions : 



The note most frequently heard from the osprey, as it moves northward in 

 migration, pausing to fish in the lakes, ponds, and larger rivers which it 

 meets on its journey, is a rather shrill squeal — not full-voiced, but with a 

 slight hissing quality. The note sounds petulant, and calls to mind a smaller 

 bird than this great hawk with its fine spread of wings. 



About its nest the osprey is a noisy bird. It flies off when approached, 

 giving a long series of notes, somewhat whistled in quality, but often harsh 

 and rasping. These notes are uttered with the beak open tiiroughout the 

 series and suggest the cry of the yellowlegs. They may be written ku-kuku, 

 or ke-ke-ke, and are delivered at the rate of the flicker's shouted loik-ioik-wik, 

 and nearly on the same pitch, although the voice may slide upward a little way, 

 or, at the end, downward to^ a considerable degree. A modification of this 

 note, shortened to two rapid syllables, the first sharply accented, ke-oo, bears 

 a decided resemblance to the call of the evening grosbeak. 



The bird on its breeding ground has also a dull chatter and the squeal 

 mentioned above, the inflection often varying, the pitch sometimes sweeping 

 upward, and sometimes dropping .a little. All these notes give an impression 

 of querulousness rather than of hostility, and seem inadequate to express 

 the emotions of so large a bird. 



During the autumnal migration, and during winter, as I have seen the 

 osprey in Florida, it is for the most part silent. 



Field marks. — The bend in the wing and the manner of flight, 

 described above, will serve to distinguish the osprey from other 

 hawks at a great distance. The white breast can be seen almost as 

 far away, and the distinctive head markings are a good field mark 

 at short range. 



Fall. — Mr. Hathaway (1905), referring to southern New England, 

 says: "The return movement to their southern habitat commences 

 in August, and probably their place is taken by birds from breed- 

 ing places in the more northern states which pass on, or linger as 

 the weather may be favorable or not, as late as October or early 

 November. A large majority of the birds which are shot in the fall 

 by hunters are young birds of the J^ear, leaving us to conclude that 

 the adults are the first to depart, while the young follow as they grow 

 stronger and are able to stand the long flight to warmer climes." 



