84 BIRDS OP PREY. 



The length of the male Osprey is from 21 to 22 inches. The fe- 

 male is about 2 feet. The summit of the head, and particularly the 

 upper part of the neck, is furnished with long and narrow feathers, 

 darkish in the middle, and edged with yellowish white ; these feath- 

 ers are erectile at the will of the animal. Upper parts dark brown ; 

 there is often a white band above the eyes ; a long band of deep 

 brown along the sides of the neck j lower parts white ; upon the 

 breast some faint fawn-colored or yellowish traces j plumage of the 

 thighs streaked down the fore-part with pale brown. Cere and feet 

 pale greyish blue ; the latter very large, covered with scales, and 

 rough beneath like a rasp, (for the purpose of holding its finny prey.) 

 Tail crossed with 8 bars of very dark brown, (only six in the Euro- 

 pean, according to Temminck.) Iris fiery yellow. Bill black. The 

 wings (according to Wilson) extend about an inch beyond the tail 

 (more than two inches, Temminck). — When young they have more 

 or fewer fawn-colored spots beneath. The feathers of the upper 

 parts are terminated with yellowish white margins ; also a consider- 

 able space upon the breast of a pale fawn-color spotted with brown ; 

 the feet likewise darker. 



Subgenus. — Astur. (Autours, TemmincTc.) 



The bill strong ; with the tooth or lobe of the upper mandible well 

 defined. Nostrils roundish, or inclining to oval and oblique. Tarsi 

 rather long, shielded with a row of parallel scales. The middle toe 

 much longer than the side ones ; the outer connected at the base by 

 a membrane, and shorter than the inner. The nails are long, much 

 curved, and very acute. — Wings short; the first primary much 

 shorter than the 2d ; the 4th longest. The female similar in color 

 with the male, but a third larger. 



These are bold, sanguinary, and malignant birds ; skimming the 

 earth with a rapid flight, seizing their prey upon the wing, and 

 sometimes pouncing upon it from above. They are not inclined to 

 soar at great elevations, and only describe wide circles in their 

 flight about the commencement of the breeding season. 



