BIRD FISHERMEN 197 



likely to end far beyond the observer's range of 

 vision. On some occasions, however, it may end 

 where the watcher on the beach can see the osprey's 

 final defeat. It will drop the fish when the eagle 

 is at last upon it, and before the flashing object has 

 fallen more than a few feet, the eagle has seized it. 

 This last instant in the pursuit is well calculated, 

 for it is invariably noticed that the eagle flies lower 

 than the osprey, as if in perfect readiness for what 

 it knows will be the last resort of its victim. 



This power of strategy in birds is not confined to 

 fishers, but is a marked gift of many other birds, 

 especially birds of prey. The hen-hawk ranks high 

 in this respect. It seems to be commonly admitted 

 that the hawk, like all large birds, makes a landing 

 either on the ground or on a perch, with its head 

 to the wind, but what seems hitherto to have escaped 

 observation, so far as the author knows, is the strate- 

 gic finesse with which this bird of prey avoids cast- 

 ing its shadow in front if possible. It seems to 

 understand perfectly that the enemy is warned of 

 its approach in this way. 



The author once watched the movements of a 

 voracious hawk that repeatedly visited a hen-yard. 

 Out of four successful raids, three were ac- 

 complished on cloudy days, and were instantly ef- 

 f ectivCj for the bird came and went with the greatest 



