OSPEEY IX /^rERICA. 51 



altering tlie position of the toes, but picking out 

 the portions of flesh between them with great 

 ease and dexterity/'* 



* Nevertheless, the fact that this bh-d has generally 

 the power of relaxing his hold of his slippery prey will 

 be familiar to all who have read Wilson's graphic ac- 

 count of his habits in America. There the white- 

 headed or bald eagle, as partial to fish as the poor 

 ospre}^, but too lazy to forage for himself, sits patiently 

 on the bough of some gigantic tree commanding a view 

 of the ocean, and when the osprey rises from the surface 

 with a prize, he instantly gives chace, and frequently 

 compels him to relinquish it. 



D 2 



