232 



NESTS AND EQGS OF 



This winged fisher inhabits the entire temperate North America, breeding any- 

 where in suitable, places throughout its range. Found about inland waters, and 

 particularly along the seia coast. Mr. W. W. Worthington, of Shelter Island, N. Y., 

 says they are exceedingly variable in the choice of a nesting place. On Gardiner's 

 Island they all build in trees at distances varying from ten to seventy-five feet from 

 the ground; on Plum Island, where a great many of them breed, a large number 

 place their nests «» tJieffround, some being built up to the height of four or five feet, 

 while others are simply a few' sticks arranged in a circle, and the eggs laid oh bare 

 sand. On Shelter Island they build on the chimneys of houses, and a pair has a 

 nest on the cross-bar of a telegraph pole. Another pair has a nest on a large rock 

 in Gardiner's Bay, near Gardiner's Island. They are made chiefly of coarse sticks 

 and sea weed and anything that is handy, such as pieces of dry cow dung, bones, old 

 shoes, straw, etc. A curious nest of the Fish Hawk was found by Mr. S. C. Shick in 

 May, 1888, on the coast of New Jersey. A set of three eggs was taken, and upon de- 



'164. Fish Hawk, or Osprey. 



Bcending the tree, Mr. Shick observed a nest of the purple Grackle, Quiscalus guiscula, 

 securely Imbedded in the loose material of the Osprey's nest; from this he took Ave 

 eggs. At the bottom of the Osprey's n?st was a thick, rotten limb, in which there 

 was a Tree Swallow's nest containing seven eggs. Mr. Worthington, who hf^s col- 

 lected tundreds of the eggs of this species, and to whom I am indebted for a large 

 series, p^ys the largest set of eggs he has ever taken or seen is four; the usual num- 

 ber, facweYer, is three, thougjii sets ot two are common, They are subject to gteat 

 variation; the ground color is of yellowish or creamy-white, spotted, streakfecl aiid" 



