FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 57 



mer, as far north as Siberia ; the Bald Buzzard of Turton almost exactly 

 agreeing with the present species in size, color, and manners, with the 

 exception of its breeding or making its nest among the reeds, instead of 

 on trees. Mr. Bewick, who has figured and described the female of this 

 bird, under the appellation of the " Osprey," says, " that it builds on 

 the ground, among reeds, and lays three or four eggs of an elliptical 

 form, rather less than those of a hen." This difference of habit may be 

 owing to particular local circumstances, such deviations being usual 

 among many of our native birds. The Italians are said to compare its 

 descent upon the water to a piece of lead falling upon that element ; 

 and distinguish it by the name of Aquila piumbina, or the Leaden 

 Eagle. In the United States it is everywhere denominated the Fish- 

 Hawk, or Fishing-Hawk, a name truly expressiva of its habits. 



The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox, when the 

 busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar interest to its first ap- 

 pearance, and procures it many a benediction from the fishermen. With 

 the following lines, illustrative of these circumstances, I shall conclude 

 its history : 



Soon as the Sun, great ruler of the year 1 

 Bends to our northern climes his bright career ; 

 And from the caves of ocean calls from sleep 

 The finny shoals and myriads of the deep ; 

 When freezing tempests back to Greenland ride ; 

 And day and night the equal hours divide ; 

 True to the season, o'er our sea-beat shore, 

 The sailing Osjwey high is seen to soar, 

 With broad unmoving wing ; and, circling slow, _ 



Marks each loose straggler in the deep below : 

 Sweeps down like lightning! plunges with a roar! 

 And bears his struggling victim to the shore. 



The long-housed fisherman beholds with joy 

 The well-known signals of his rough employ ; 

 And, as he bears his nets and oars along. 

 He hails the welcome season with a song. 



Note. — The Fish-Hawk passes the winter in the southern parts of the 

 United States. In a winter voyage among the sea-islands of Georgia, 

 and thence into East Florida, I did not observe these birds until I 

 reached the river St. John, on the seventh of February. At the mouth 

 of this river, which is noted for the abundance of its fish, the Ospreys 

 are very numerous ; and the frequent attacks which are made upon 

 them, when successful in fishing, by the piratical Bald Eagles, afford a 

 spectacle of no common interest. I sometimes took notice, that when 

 the Fish-Hawk was likely to escape from a single enemy, and had wea- 

 ried his pursuer by the dexterity of his manoeuvres, a fresh Eagle joined 

 in the chase, and then all chance of escape was hopeless. 



