364. OSPREY. 



BIRDS OF PREY 



OSPREY. Family Pandionidae 



Pandion halicetus carolinensis. 



Range. Whole of temperate 

 America from the Arctic circle 

 south to the equator, most abun- 

 dant along the sea coasts. 



Real old birds have the head 

 whiter, and less white edging 

 to the back feathers, than do 

 the young. Feet very strong, 

 and very hard and rough, per- 

 fectly adapted to grasping slip- 

 pery fish; outer toe can be used 

 equally as well, either in front 

 or behind, when perching or 

 grasping their prey. 



Probably this great fisherman 

 is as well known from one end 

 of the country to the other as 

 any of our wild birds. He is 

 protected by law in a great many 

 states and by custom in nearly 

 all localities where they breed. 

 It is one of the pleasantest 

 sights along the coast to watch 

 a number of these great birds 

 as they soar at an elevation 

 above the water, watching for 

 fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds down- 

 ward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. In many localities 

 they are very tame and nest in the vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the 

 yard. Their nests are platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year 

 and constantly added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or 

 three eggs of a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut 

 brown. They show a great diversity of sise as well as markings, but average, 

 2.40x1.80. 



American Osprey 



15 



