212 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



and tipped with black. Im. Similar, but browner, and with few or no bars 

 on the interseapulars and breast. L., 22-00 ; W., 16-00 ; B. from N., 1-25. 



Range. Southern Florida and Mexican border of the United States south 

 to the Amazon. 



Nest, in a cabbage palmetto or on the tops of dense bushes. Eggs, two to 

 three, varying from cream-buff to rufous, heavily marked with shades of red^- 

 dish brown and chocolate, 2-35 x l-5. 



Caracaras frequently associate with Vultures and feed on carrion, 

 but they also capture their own food. This consists largely of frogs, 

 lizards, and small snakes, which the birds find while walking about 

 on the ground in search of them. Their flight is strong, rapid, and 

 direct, and bears no resemblance to that of a Vulture's. 



364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.). AMERICAN OS- 

 PREY; FISH HAWK. Ad. 6 . Upper parts fuscous, the head and nape varied 

 with white.; tail with six to eight obscure bands, more distinct on the inner 

 web ; under parts white, breast sometimes slightly spotted with grayish brown. 

 Ad. 9 . Similar, but the breast always spotted with grayish brown. L., 23'10 ; 

 W., 18-25 ; T., 8-40. 



Range. North America ; breeds from Florida to Labrador : winters from 

 South Carolina to northern South America. 



Washington, uncommon S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common T. V., 

 rare S. K., Apl. 3 to May 26 ; Sept. 29 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, common T. V., 

 Apl. ; Sept. 



Nest, generally in a tree, thirty to fifty feet from the ground, rarely on 

 the ground. Eggs, two to four, extremely variable, sometimes dull white, un- 

 marked, sometimes almost solid chocolate, but generally buffy white, heavily 

 marked with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 2-45 x 1-80. 



This species lives in colonies, and also in pairs, along our coasts, re- 

 turning year after year to the same nesting ground. Its food consists 

 solely of fish, which as a rule it captures alive. Winging its way 

 slowly over the water, it keeps a keen watch for fish which may appear 

 near the surface. When one is observed it pauses, hovers a moment, 

 and then closing its wings descends with a speed and directness of 

 aim that generally insure success. It strikes the water with great 

 force, making a loud splash, and frequently disappears for a moment 

 before rising with its prey grasped in its powerful talons. As a rule, 

 it carries its food to some favorite perch, there to devour it. It is said 

 that Fish Hawks have been known to strike fish so large that, unable 

 to release their hold, they were drawn under water and drowned. 



When protected, Fish Hawks, like many other birds, to a large de- 

 gree lose their fear of man. In The Auk, for October, 1892, will be 

 found a valuable article by Dr. C. S. Allen, on the habits of this species 

 as observed by him on Plum Island, N. Y., where for forty years the 

 birds had been protected by the owner of the island. 



