DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 
21 g 
3. Osprey Pandion halicztus Linne 
Pan-dV-on— a mythical King of Athens, father of Procne (progne, swal¬ 
low) and Philomela (nightingale); he was changed into an osprey: 
hal-i-a'-et-us—G k, hals, sea; Gk, cctos, eagle. 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania (cosmopolitan, except 
southern South America and the Pacific Islands). 
notes. Also called White-headed Osprey and Fish-hawk. Usually 
singly or in pairs, frequenting the borders of rivers, lakes, inlets of the 
sea, and small islands lying ofF the coast. Its food consists almost en¬ 
tirely of living fish, caught by plunging from above and grasping them 
with its talons. 
nest. A large and bulky structure, composed of sticks; lined with 
seaweed and occasionally with palm-leaves. Generally placed on a rock 
overlooking the sea, but sometimes in trees. 
eggs. Two or three, rarely four, buff, heavily blotched at the larger 
end with large reddish-purple markings, the remainder of the surface 
being sparingly spotted with lavender and reddish-brown markings. 
Breeding-season: May to September. 
4. Fork-tailed Kite Milvus mi grans Boddaert 
Mil'-vus— L., milvus, kite: mV-grans— L., migrans, wandering. 
distribution. Australia generally; also occurs in Europe, north¬ 
western Africa, and Asia to the Malay Archipelago. 
notes. Also called Black Kite and Allied Kite. Usually in pairs or 
flocks, frequenting the inland districts chiefly. It is a common species 
about homesteads and camps, and is a well-known scavenger. Its food 
consists of small mammals, reptiles, and grasshoppers; also offal and 
garbage. 
nest. A small, fiat, compact structure, composed of sticks; lined 
with wool or fur. Generally placed in the main fork of a tree or near 
the end of a horizontal branch, at heights up to 30 feet or more from the 
ground. Old nests are often relined and used year after year. 
eggs. Two or three, dull white, more or less marked with spots, 
blotches, short wavy streaks, or hair-like lines of umber or reddish- 
brown. Some have the markings chiefly around the larger end, others 
have paler or clouded markings. Breeding-season: September to 
January (south); May to July (north). 
5. Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura Gould 
Loph'-o-ic-tin’-i-a-Gk, lophos, crest; Gk, ictinos, kite: js-ur'-a-Gk, 
isos, equal, square; Gk, ura (oura), tail. 
distribution. Australia generally, though rare in southern Aus- 
tralia. 
notes. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting alike the coastal 
districts and the inland plains. It shows a marked preference for the 
smaller watercourses, where it breeds in the adjoining belts of timber. 
Its food consists mostly of birds, usually young ones taken from nests. 
nest. A large structure, composed of sticks, and lined with leaves; 
