OSPREY, Pandion, a genus of falconida;, of which only one species is known (P. .haliaetu8), also called the FISIILNG HAWK or FISHING EAGLE, and sometimes the BALD BUZZARD. It is singular among the falconithe in preying exclusively on fish ; and to this its whole structure and habits are adapted. Its whole length is about 22 in.; it is of a dark brown color, variegated with black, gray; and white. The under parts are white, except a light-brown band across the chest. The bill is short, strong, rounded, and broad. The tail is rather long, the wings are very long, extending beyond the tail; the under surface of the toes remarkably rough, covered with small pointed scales, suited for the securing of slippery prey; the claws not grooved beneath, as in most of the falconida. The feathers are destitute of the supplementary plume, which is considerably developed in most of the fal-conida3. The intestine differs from that of the other fakonidcs in being very slender and of great length.
The osprey is chiefly to be seen near the sea, lakes, and large rivers. No bird is more widely diffused; it is found in all quarters of the world; its geographical range ineludino. Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia, and both very
and very cold climates. It is everywhere a bird of passage, retiring from high northern latitudes on the appearance of frost. It &curs on many parts of the British coasts, and is sometimes found in inland districts, but is nowhere abundant in Britain. In some places in Scotland it still breeds year after year, on the highest summit of a ruined building, or the top of an old tree. It is very plentiful in some parts of North America; and its return in the beginning of spring is hailed with joy by fishermen, as indicative of the appearance of fish. The nest is a huge structure of rotten sticks, in the outer interstices of which smaller birds sometimes make their nests; for the osprey never preys on birds, and is not dreaded by them. It is, indeed, of a pacific and tim orous disposition, and readily abandons its prey to the white-headed eagle (or erne, q.v.). In the days of falconry, the osprey, being very docile, was sometimes trained and used for catching fish.