146 FISH HAWK 



Marsh Hawk; Harrier: Circus hudsonius. 



Length 19 inches. 



Male, general color ashy-gray; under parts white, finely 

 marked with rusty; rump zvliite in both sexes, shown con- 

 spicuously in flight. 



Female, general color rusty brown. 



July to April. Common. 



The Marsh Hawk will be seen beating low over 

 marshes or meadows in search of mice and insects. 

 It is not known to breed in this vicinity, but is so 

 common the greater part of the year that it is thotight 

 best to distinguish it as a good Hawk. Doctor Fisher 

 writes: "Its presence and increase sliould be en- 

 couraged in every way possible, not only by protect- 

 ing it by law, but by disseminating a knowledge of the 

 benefits it confers. It is probably the most active and 

 determined foe of meadow mice and ground squirrels, 

 destroying greater numbers of these pests than any 

 other species, and this fact alone should entitle it to 

 protection, even if it destroyed no other injurious 

 animals." 



The nest is on the ground in marshes. Eggs, 4 to 

 6, are dull white, unmarked. 



Fish Hawk; American Osprey: Pandion haliactiis 

 caroliiiciisis. 



Length about 2 feet. 



Upper parts dark brown; tail banded. 



Head and under parts white, sometimes spotted. 



Resident (uncommon) from March 25 to October. 



" We do not know of any nests within the District, 

 but have seen them lower down the river; the species 

 properly belong to the category of summer residents. 

 It is often seen sailing over the Potomac and Aha- 



