211 
or by stealing from fish-catching birds. As there is only one species of 
Fish Hawk in America, no general discussion of the family is necessary here. 
364. Osprey (Including American Osprey), fish hawk. Pandion haliaetus. 
L, 23 • 10. Plate XXVIII B. A very large, dark brown (nearly black) and white Hawk, 
very white below without other markings than sometimes a vague, disconnected, band of 
suffused light brown Bpots across the breast. 
Distinctions. A large brown and white Hawk, with pale blue feet, the soles of which 
are covered with sharp homy processes for grasping slippery fish. Head, largely white 
with contrasting black ear coverts, and a loose crest of white, dark-tipped feathers, from the 
hind head. 
Field Marks. A very large Hawk (Figure 201-3), very white below, with a long wing 
expanse, almost eagle-like in outline, but with wing-tips less broadly rounded (Figure 233). 
Next smaller than the Eagles. The facial markings are quite distinctive, white throat, 
black bar over ears, and white nape and sides of rear head with distinct occipital 
crest. Habits of hunting over broad shallows and diving from the wing. 
Figure 233 
Osprey; scale, iV- 
General appearance in flight. 
Nesting. Enormous nest of sticks in isolated tree tops, rarely on, or near, the ground. 
Nests are added to year after year and may assume the size of small haycocks. 
Distribution. Nearly cosmopolitan. In the New World, North and South America. 
In Canada, across the continent, north to the tree limits, breeding locally and irregularly 
anywhere except in the open prairie country. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis is separated 
from the Old World form on the grounds of slightly larger size and small difference in 
colour. 
The Osprey is a most picturesque feature of the broad shallow of 
inland waters, or the tidal flats of the sea. Bailing at a considerable height 
over the water, it pauses a moment on hovering wings, and then drops 
suddenly. It falls, not straight down like a Kingfisher, but in a long spiral, 
striking the water feet first, with wings raised high over its back. There is 
a splash of white spray and, for a moment, the bird, except for the black 
wing tips, is entirely hidden from view; then, with a heave of its powerful 
shoulders, it raises itself clear of the water and with one or two strong 
strokes rises in the air, a fish clasped in its rough talons, and returns to 
its aerie. 
The term “Osprey”, as applied by the millinery trade, has nothing 
to do with this bird. These graceful plumes are the product of a Heron or 
Egret, and the origin of the use of this confusing name for them is some- 
what obscure. 
910M— 14J 
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