FISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. nj 



oblong pouch, 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 pre- 

 sent species in size, colour, 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 a 

 hen." This difference of habit may be owing to particular 

 local circumstances, such deviations 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 plumbina, 

 or the leaden eagle. In the United States it is everywhere 

 denominated the fish hawk, or fishing hawk, a name truly 

 expressive 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 fisherman. With the following lines, 

 illustrative of these circumstances, I shall conclude its 

 history : — 



Soon as the sun, great ruler 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 ■ 



