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FISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
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 present 
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 cir- 
cumstances, 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 deno- 
minated 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 ; 
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