The status of the osprey in Cape May County, New Jersey, between 1939 and 1963

Comparison is made of the population of ospreys in Cape May County, N.J., in the late 1930's with that in 1963, and with a population of these birds at Tilghman Island, Maryland. Production of young per nest in the 1930's compares favorably with the production of young in the populations examined in 1963. It is suggested, based on historical evidence, that a decline in the numbers of these birds has been going on for some time. Acceleration of this decline in New Jersey is more obvious in the years covered by this paper.