OSPREY. 115 



third toe l\^, its claw ly% ; inner toe 1^, its claw IJ ; 

 wing from flexure 18; tail 8. 



Female.^ — The female is considerably larger, but 

 does not differ much in-colour. On the upper part of 

 the head the white is less extended, being more broad- 

 ly streaked with brown ; and the lower part of the neck 

 and fore part of the breast are marked with larger 

 streaks or even patches of brownish-red. The general 

 tint of the brown colour of the upper parts is rather 

 deeper, and less diluted towards the edges of the 

 feathers. 



Length 25 inches, extent of wings 68 ; bill 1 J ; lower 

 mandible IJ; tarsus 2^ ; hind toe 1, its claw 1|; se- 

 cond toe ly^g, its claw 1^; third toe If, its claw 1 j2 ' 

 outer toe 1|, its claw 1^ ; wing from flexure 20 ; 

 tail 81. 



Variations. — Slight variations occur even in old 

 birds, the white on the head and neck being more or 

 less pure, and the brownish-red patches or streaks on 

 the breast of greater or less extent. The colour of the 

 legs varies from light greyish-blue to very pale blue with 

 u tinge of yellow. As they become old, the feathers of 

 the upper parts lose their pale coloured tips, as does 

 the tail at an earlier period, so that considerable dif- 

 ference is observed between newly plumed birds and 

 those obtained towards the period of moulting. 



Habits. — According to Montagu, the Osprey is 

 rarely met with in England, and more frequently in 

 Devonshire than elsewhere. Mr Selby says he has 



