RARER BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 569 
Osprey. Fish Hawk. Pandion haliaétus Sav.* (P. 
Carolinensis Bonap.) It seems at first a little strange that 
this noble bird should uot be found breeding any where on 
the Massachusetts coast, but when we recall the peculiar 
situations usually chosen by it for its eyrie we cease to be 
surprised. At present there are here no heavy forests near 
the sea, with lofty dead trees spreading their broad whitened 
arms to receive its bulky and conspicuous nest. All who are 
acquainted with this bird's breeding habits must have been 
Struck with its marked predilection for such nesting sites. 
While it breeds abundantly on the New Jersey coast, on 
portions of Long Island, on the coast of Maine and about 
the large lakes da the interior, it is now only seen in this 
state, so far as I can learn, during its migrations. It un- 
doubtedly nested here before the dhéiongh disforesting of 
the seacoast; a former nesting site near Ipswich being: still 
remembered by some of de older residents there. The 
present puny second forest-growth affords it no suitable 
breeding places, and this is no doubt the reason of its being 
now but a transient visitor here. 
Hawk Owr. Surnia ulula Bon. Mr. A. L. Babcock of 
Sherborn, has a specimen which he took a few years since 
at Natick. Dr. Brewer informs me he once obtained it 
near Roxbury. Mr. Scott writes that five specimens were 
taken at Westfield, near the village, in the autumn of 1867. 
In my Catalogue this species, though mentioned incidentally 
as probably occurring occasionally along the Green Mountain 
ranges in the western part of the state, was not reckoned as 
à Massachusetts bird. Dr. Emmons says it has been ob- 
served in that section in autumn,f and from what I now 
know of its distribution I doubt not it is a somewhat regular 
winter visitor there. 

AE Muse Z peci f this bird, from 
i, Florida, an itm. England, t. he North, and from Europe. They differ a good 
deal, bu bat some of shone that differ most are from the same locality. I cannot see 
of 


AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. 72 
