342 FISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
a Robin! The crop, or craw, was middle sized, and contained a 
nearly-dissolved fish ; the stomach was a large, omong peceh, capable 
of considerable distension, and was also filled with half-digested fish : 
no appearance of a muscular gizzard. 
By the descriptions of European naturalists, it would appear that 
this bird, or one near akin to it, is a native of the eastern continent, in 
summer, as far north as Siberia; the Bald Buzzard of Turton almost 
exactly agreeing with the present species in size, color, and manners, 
with the exception of its breeding or making its nest among the reeds, 
instead of on trees. Mr. Bewick, who has figured and described the 
female of this bird under the appellation of the Osprey, says that 
“it builds on the ground, among reeds, and lays three or four eggs, 
of an elliptical form, rather less than those of aHen.” This difference 
of habit may be owing to particular local circumstances, such devia- 
tions 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 Aquila plumbi- 
na, or the Leaden Eagle. In the United States, it is every where 
denominated the Fish Hawk, or Fishing Hawk —a name truly ex- 
pressive of its habits. 
The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox, when 
the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar interest to its 
first appearance, and procures it many a benediction from the fisher- 
man. With the following lines, illustrative of these circumstances, I 
shall conclude its history : — 
Soon as the sun, areal roler 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-housed fisherman beholds, with joy, 
The well-known signals of his rough employ ; 
And, as he bears his nets and oars along, 
Thus hails the welcome season with a song: — 
THE FISHERMAN’S HYMN. 
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 plying. 
Yo, ho, my hearts! let ’s seek the tena 
Raise high the song, and cheerly wish her, 
Stil as the be iding net we sweep, 
“ God bles? the Fish Hawk and the fisher!” 
