tly brighter and more clearly marked than any
of cheriway that I have ever seen.

[Illustration 226: Audubon's Caracara.]
[Illustration: Cinnamon.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 225

OSPREY. Family Pandionidae

364. OSPREY. _Pandion haliaetus carolinensis._

Range.--Whole of temperate America from the Arctic circle south to the
equator, most abundant along the sea coasts.

Real old birds have the head whiter, and less white edging to the back
feathers, than do the young. Feet very strong, and very hard and rough,
perfectly adapted to grasping slippery fish; outer toe can be used
equally as well, either in front or behind, when perching or grasping
their prey.

Probably this great fisherman is as well known from one end of the
country to the other as any of our wild birds. He is protected by law in
a great many states and by custom in nearly all localities where they
breed. It is one of the pleasantest sights along the coast to watch a
number of these great birds as they soar at an elevation above the
water, watching for fish to come near the surface, when, with folded
wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely
missing his prey. In many localities they are very tame and nest in the
vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the yard. Their nests are
platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year and constantly
added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or three eggs of
a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut brown.
They show a great diversity of size as well as markings, but average
2.40 x 1.80.

[Illustration 227: American Osprey.]
[Illustration.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 226

[Illustration 228: C. A. Reed.
OSPREY LEAVING NEST.]

Page 227

BARN OWLS. Family Alucondidae

365. BARN OWL. _Aluco pratincola._

Range.--Chiefly in the southern parts of the United States; north
casually to Massachusetts, Minnesota and Washington.

This is one of the lightest colored of the Owls; it has a long,
peculiarly hooded face, from which it gets the name of "Monkey-faced
Owl." Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with
blackish.

It nests usually in hollow cavities of trees, but appears to have no
objections to barns, holes in banks, or anywhere it can find a concealed
crevice in which to deposit its four to six pure white eggs; size 1.70 x
1.30.

HORNED OWL. Family Strigidae