26 FALCONID A. 
Tue genus Pandion was instituted for the Osprey by 
M. Savigny, and some other species have since been added 
to this genus by other naturalists. 
This bird, from its habit of feeding almost exclusively 
on fish, must be looked for near the sea-shore, or about 
rivers and large lakes which may be expected to afford a 
plentiful supply of the particular food it is known most 
to delight m. The manner in which the Osprey seeks 
its prey, and its mode of obtaining it, are admirably 
described by the Ornithologists of America, in which 
country this bird is sufficiently numerous to afford ex- 
cellent opportunities of observing its actions. On one 
island near the eastern extremity of Long Island, New 
York, three hundred nests were counted. The old birds 
were rearing their young close together, living as peaceably 
as so many Rooks, and were equally harmless in reference 
to other smaller birds. “‘ When looking out for its prey,” 
says Dr. Richardson, “it sails with great ease and ele- 
gance, in undulating and curved lines, at a considerable 
altitude above the water, from whence it precipitates 
itself upon its quarry and bears it off in its claws; or it 
not unfrequently, on the fish moving to too great a depth, 
stops suddenly in its descent, and hovers for a few seconds 
in the air, like a Kite or a Kestril, suspending itself in 
the same spot by a quick flapping of its wings; it then 
makes a second and, in general, unerrmg dart upon its 
prey, or regains the former altitude by an elegant spiral 
flight. It seizes the fish with its claws, sometimes scarcely 
appearing to dip its feet im the water, and at other times 
plunging entirely under the surface with force sufficient to 
throw up a considerable spray. It emerges again however 
so speedily, as to render it evident that it does not attack 
fish swimming at any great depth.” 
