I lO 



British Birds. 



The Birds of ^KYN.—Ordcr Accipitriformes. 



In this Order are placed all the Birds of Prey which are not Owls. The e\-es are in 

 all cases placed sideways in the head, not directed forwards as are those of the last- 

 named birds, and there are other well-marked anatomical and osteological differences 

 between the two Orders. They are, however, connected together by the Ospreys, 

 which constitute the Sub-order Pandioncs. These birds combine the aspect of Sea- 

 Eagles with the structure of Owls, and like the latter they possess a reversible outer toe. 



^mr: 



The Osi'Rfv. 



THE OSPREY. 

 (Pandion haliiietus.) 



This fine bird is preserved from extinction by bemg protected 

 in a few districts in Scotland by enlightened land-owners : other- 



wise there can be little doubt that it would long ago have been 

 exterminated by the greed of collectors and egg-hunters. Young birds are 

 frequently shot on our sea-coasts and inland waters, generally during the season 

 of autumn migration. The species may always be distinguished by its blue feet and 

 by the spicules which cover the soles of the feet, and these little spikes must be 

 of great assistance to the bird in the capture of large fish, at which the Osprey 

 is an adept. The bird loves solitude, and generally only one pair is found inhabiting a 

 district in Scotland, but on the Contment two or three nests are sometimes met with 



