THE OSPREY 115 



of the Osprey to the destruction of its haunts, and 

 we are compelled to assign the direct persecution 

 by man as the reason of its untimely disappear- 

 ance. Not only has the bird been robbed of its 

 eggs and young and shot in Scotland, but numbers 

 continue to fall victims to the gunner in more 

 southern districts whilst performing their annual 

 migrations. As a visitor on passage, and especially 

 in autumn, the Osprey is fairly well known in 

 various parts of the British area, both near inland 

 waters as well as along the rivers and coasts, 

 especially of the eastern and southern counties. 

 Unfortunately, too many of these Ospreys are killed, 

 and we would forbid the shooting of this species 

 within British limits altogether. To Ireland the 

 Osprey is an abnormal migrant only. Beyond the 

 British area the Osprey has an exceedingly wide 

 distribution, breeding in all suitable localities 

 throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and 

 Australia, although the birds inhabiting the latter 

 area present differences which may have a sub- 

 specific value. In Europe it may be met with, 

 breeding from Lapland to the Iberian Peninsula, 

 and from North Russia to the Caspian ; whilst 

 south of the Mediterranean it nests in many parts 

 of North Africa, from the Canaries (where it is 



