BIRDS OF PREY 
OSPREY. Family Pandionidae 
364. Osprey. Pandion halicetus carolinensis. 
Range. — Whole of temperate 
America from the Arctic circle 
south to the equator, most abun- 
dant along the sea coasts. 
Real old birds have the head 
whiter, and less white edging 
to the back feathers, than do 
the young. Feet very strong, 
and very hard and rough, per- 
fectly adapted to grasping slip- 
pery fish; outer toe can be used 
equally as well, either in front 
or behind, when perching or 
grasping their prey. 
Probably this great fisherman 
is as well known from one end 
of the country to the other as 
any of our wild birds. He is 
protected by law in a great many 
states and by custom in nearly 
all localities where they breed. 
It is one of the pleasantest 
sights along the coast to watch 
a number of these great birds 
as they soar at an elevation 
above the water, watching for 
fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds down- 
ward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. In many localities 
they are very tame and nest in the vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the 
yard. Their nests are platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year 
and constantly added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or 
three eggs of a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut 
brown. They show a great diversity of siae as well as markings, but average 
2.40 x 1.80. 
American Osprey 
225 
15 
