BRITISH ZOOLOGISTS. 135 



times been found dead on the shore, cast up by the 

 waves.' 



To the above excerpt from Wilson's account of the 

 osprey, may be appended the lines which he wrote on this 

 bird, which allude specially to the friendly feelings with 

 which it is regarded by the fishermen on the Atlantic 

 coast of the United States : 



The osprey sails above the sound, 



The geese are gone, the gulls are flying ; 



The herring-shoals swarm thick around, 



The nets are launched, the boats are flying ; 

 Yo, ho, my hearts ! let 's seek the deep, 

 Raise high the song, and cheerly wish her, 

 Still as the bending net we sweep, 

 ' God bless the fish-hawk and the fisher ! ' 



She brings us fish, she brings us spring, 

 Good times, fair weather, warmth and plenty, 

 Fine store of shad, trout, herring, ling, 

 Sheepshead and drum, and old- wives dainty, 



Yo, ho, my hearts ! let 's seek the deep, 



Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her, 



Still as the bending net we sweep, 



' God bless the fish-hawk and the fisher ! ' 



She rears her young on yonder tree, 

 She leaves her faithful mate to mind 'em, 

 Like us, for fish, she sails to sea, 

 And, plunging, shows us where to find 'em. 



Yo, ho, my hearts ! let 's seek the deep, 



Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her, 



While the slow bending net we sweep, 



'God bless the fish-hawk and the fisher ! ' 



