66o 
A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
Nest: Built in March, in a tall tree in deep woods. A bulky affair of 
sticks with an upper nest; lined with soft bark like the Crow’s. 
Eggs: 2-3, dirty white, thickly blotched with purplish brown. 
Owing to different phases of plumage, it is often difficult 
to identify the larger Hawks on the wing ; but the red tail is a 
distinctive mark of the adults of this species at all seasons. 
American Osprey : Pandion haliaetus. S. R. 
Fish Hawk 
Length: About 24 inches; female larger. 
Male and Female: Plain dark brown above, the tail having a white tip 
and a band of dark brown. Head, neck, and lower parts white ; 
breast plain, or sometimes spotted faintly with brown. Bill 
bluish black; feet grayish. 
Note: “ Phew, phew, p-hew ! ” 
Season: April to November. 
Breeds: From Florida to Labrador. 
Nest: In trees near or over water; a bulky nest on the plan of the 
Eagle’s. 
Eggs: 2-3, variable in size and color; average, 2^2x1^ inches. 
The familiar brown, Eagle-like bird, with very large talons, 
which is seen hovering over sound, creek, and river, particularly 
in spring and early fall. The Fish Hawk, as it is popularly 
called, follows schools of fish, and, dashing from considerable 
height, seizes its prey with its stout claws. If the fish is small, 
it is immediately swallowed ; if it is large (and it will secure 
occasionally shad, bass, etc., weighing five or six pounds) it 
is taken to a convenient place and torn to bits. 
THE FISHERMAN’S HYMN 
The Osprey sails above the sound ; 
The Geese are gone, the Gulls are flying; 
The herring shoals swarm thick around; 
The nets are launched, the boats are plying. 
Yo, ho, my hearts ! let’s seek the deep, 
Raise high the song, and cheerly wish her, 
Still as the bending net we sweep ; 
“God bless the Fish Hawk and the fisher!” 
