THE OCCURRENCE OF THE OSPREY IN THE FAUNA 
OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS. 
Upon examination of the records of former writers 
of our New England birds we notice that the Osprey 
( Pandion haliaelus Caroline ns is) was regarded as 
rare or wanting in the State of Massachusetts. Later, 
authors have, however, ascribed the bird to tiiis State, 
stating its abundance according to various local au- 
thorities. 
Some of the statements set forth are absurd and in 
many instances entirely at variance with truth, and it 
has been deemed advisable to present, in a very brief 
manner, the general status of the Osprey in Bristol 
County. 
DISTRIBUTION. 
Colonization seems an important factor in the habits 
of these birds, and with few exceptions their nests are 
placed in close proximity to the two rivers (Lee and 
Palmer) in the southern portion of the county, which 
are tributaries of Mt. Hope Bay. There, in an area of 
about five square miles, it is computed that no less than 
two hundred and fifty nests are placed. Other single 
nests are reported from numerous localities in the 
interior, and the Ospreys are often seen, singly or in 
pairs, far from their usual haunts. 
Their first arrival in spring is noted by the last week 
in March, and generally coincident with the first schools 
of Herring in the rivers. 
Their food is obtained from the waters near which 
their nests are placed, which renders them very local 
in their general habitat. They remain about their nests 
from the time of their arrival, months before the period 
of incubation. One peculiar trait has been observed in 
relation to their changing nesting localities in unison. 
Twice during the past decade they have abandoned the 
vicinity of one river and taken possession of the swamps 
bordering on the other, some four miles distant. No 
motive could be ascertained for their actions, as they 
are afforded protection in either locality. 
NIDIFIGATION . 
No date is better for inspecting complete fresh sets 
of their eggs than May 10th, as I have observed by 
annual visits during the past thirteen years. As an 
interesting item of oology, it may be mentioned that 
a series of eggs, taken from the same pair of birds 
for successive seasons, show a remarkable similarity 
in coloration. My esteemed co-laborer, Mr. F. W. 
Andros, of Taunton, Mass., agrees with me, in his 
own large experience. From two hundred and thirty- 
six sets which have been examined, three were of four 
eggs, one hundred and seventy-nine of three eggs, 
forty-seven with two eggs, and seven with one egg. 
In the latter case the eggs were abnormal specimens. 
The situation of their nests is varied, the majority 
being placed in tall trees difficult of ascent, and in 
many cases in close proximity to houses. Many nests 
are, however, placed at a moderate heighth and occa- 
sional ly they occupy apple-trees in orchards. The 
various colorations of their eggs and composition of the 
huge nests need no mention in this place. Two sets 
of eggs are laid, when the first are taken. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
From evidence offered we ascertain that the Ospreys 
hold their relation to the fauna of Bristol County, at 
the present time, in the same numerical rate, as previ- 
ous to the present decade ; not seeming to increase, nor 
diminish in numbers, and they should not be over- 
looked when considering the birds of Massachusetts, 
for by reason of large size, and stately flight, together 
with considerable numbers, they are a prominent 
feature in our local fauna, whose omission should not 
occur on our lists. 
F. H. Carpenter. 
