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FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
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 piumbina, or the Leaden Eagle. In the 
United States it is every where 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 in- 
terest to its first appearance, and procures it many a benediction 
from the fishermen. 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 liis 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-hous’d fisherman beholds with joy. 
The well-known signals of his rough employ; 
And, as he bears his nets and oars along. 
He hails the welcome season with a song. 
Note . — The Fish-Hawk passes the winter in the southern parts 
of the United States. In a winter voyage among the sea-islands of 
Georgia, and thence into East Florida, I did not observe these 
birds until I reached the river St. John, on the seventh of Feb- 
ruary. At the mouth of this river, which is noted for the 
abundance of its fish, the Ospreys are very numerous; and the 
