78 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 



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 Jlquila piumbina^ or the Leaden Eagle. In the 

 United States it is every where denominated the Fish-Hawk, 

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



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

 when the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar in- 

 terest to its first appearance, 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! 

 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 Osprey 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-hous'd 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 Feb- 

 ruary. At the mouth of this river, which is noted for the 

 abundance of its fish, the Ospreys are very numerous; and the 



