OSPREY OR FISHING HAWK. I35 



by the great number of mice it destroys. It builds here usually in 

 trees, in the deserted nest of a Crow or a Magpie, but it will also 

 build in rocks, towers, or ruins. 



[TiNNUNcuLus CENCHRis — Lcsser Kestrel.] 

 One obtained near York, and another taken alive near Dover, 1877. 



Genus— PANDION. 

 PANDION HALIAETUS— OsPREY or Fishing Hawk. 



True to the season, o'er our sea-beat shore, 

 The sailing Osprey high is seen to soar, 

 With broad unmoving wing ; and circling slow, 

 Marks each loose straggler in the deep below ; 

 Sweeps down like lightning ! plunges with a roar ! 

 And bears his struggling victim to the shore. 



A. Wilson— 2^-^e Osprey. 



The Sea Eagle, or Fishing Hawk, is rarely to be met with 

 so far inland as Herefordshire. In October, 1879, a beautiful 

 specimen was shot near Fownhope by Mr. V. Collins, of Cubberley, 

 near Ross, and this is the only instance on record of the Osprey 

 having been seen or taken in the county. It is now in the 

 possession of Mr. W. C. Blake, Ross. 



The handsome Osprey in the Hereford Museum, was shot at 

 Penybont, in Radnorshire, in May, 1885, by Mr.. E. W. Colt-Williams, 

 who kindly presented the bird to the Museum. 



In April, 1867, a very fine Osprey was caught in a pole-trap 

 set for Hawks, in a wood on the Clyro estate called Cwm Sir Hugh ; 

 it measured about six feet across the wings, and had a trout, of 

 nearly 3lbs. weight, in its claws when captured. It was set up by 

 Shaw, of Shrewsbury, and is preserved at Clyro Court, the seat of 

 Mr. Baskerville. 



