OSPREY. 461 



the third, which is considerably longer. On the first 

 toe are five sciitella, on the second five and a small 

 one ; on the third four and a divided one ; on the fourth 

 four and a divided one. The claws are large, curved 

 in a semicircle, tapering to a fine point, compressed, 

 rounded above and beneath, laterally convex ; that of 

 the third toe with an inner flat side and a sharp edge 

 with a groove under it. The claws are almost equal, 

 that of the middle toe rather smaller. 



The plumage is close and compact. The feathers of 

 the head and neck are lanceolate and small, but of mo- 

 derate length ; those of the occipital and superior cer- 

 vical regions elongated and pointed ; of the fore part of 

 the back, large, ovate ; of the hind part much smaller.. 

 The scapulars, or feathers of the tuft over the humeral 

 joint, are remarkably large and strong, about twelve of 

 them quill-like, oblong, slightly curved, acuminate. 

 There are also five shorter penniform feathers from the 

 posterior edge of the humerus. The feathers of the 

 fore neck are rather large, narrow, ovate ; of the breast 

 smaller and rather stiff. Over the abdomen, which is 

 covered with short, very dense down, is a large flap of 

 long downy feathers, covered over by the anterior 

 longer and stiffer feathers. The lower tail-coverts are 

 long, very downy at the base, compact at the end. 

 The wings are extremely long ; the humerus very 

 strong, the cubitus very long and stout. There are 

 ten primaries, eighteen secondaries, and five humerals 

 nor tertiaries. The first four primaries are abruptly cut 

 out on the inner web, the second and fourth slightly 

 so on the outer. The first half an inch longer than the 

 fifth, the third longest, the second almost equal. The 



