22 BRITISH BIRDS. 



friendly disposed towards one another ; for often did they 

 find cause for altercation, and would soar high, striking at 

 each other with their talons, uttering cries of anger till, 

 honour satisfied, they would peaceably return to their 

 fishing. 



A favoiu-ite way of getting a meal was that of visiting 

 the fishermen's nets, where quantities of fish were im- 

 prisoned, and a plentiful meal assured with the minimum 

 amount of trouble. When thus engaged the birds did not 

 trouble to soar, but would merely fly along the surface of 

 the water and snatch at the fish as they rose. 



The chief prey of the Osprey aj)peared to be the 

 " white fish,'" so called by the fishermen, and a smaller 

 species with a large head. The largest fish I ever saw 

 being carried b}^ an Osprey was a flatfish, which, although 

 partially eaten, weighed at least three pounds. The 

 captor, exasperated by my presence near its nest, 

 eventually let the fish drop, and it narrowly missed my 

 head. 



(To be continued.) 



