266 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



in "Birds of Michigan." They probably are not often 

 seen in Illinois, except alon^ the Mississippi, the Ohio, 

 and the region bordering Lake Michigan, when not on 

 migration, though in the locality last mentioned they 

 are not uncommon. 



The osprey lives almost exclusively on fish, and for this 

 reason it has been placed (by the investigations of the 

 United States .Department of Agriculture) in the class 

 of those rapacious birds whose habits are more harmful 

 than beneficial. Its movements, when scanning the water 

 below for its prey, are very similar to those of the spar- 

 row hawk. Frequently it arrests its flight above a par- 

 ticular spot or floating object, and maintaining its position 

 by steadily flapping its wings, remains stationary for a few 

 moments before it resumes its flight or plunges boldly 

 into the water for the fish it has perceived. At times it 

 sails with almost motionless pinions, the unusually large 

 extent and the noticeable curvature of the wings being 

 characteristic features which aid in its identification and 

 which suggest its wonderful powers of flight. Often while 

 thus soaring the osprey dashes down almost to the water, 

 and when about to touch it, glides along the surface, or 

 turns upwards as abruptly as it descended, sometimes 

 wheeling about in circles of no larger diameter than its 

 own expanded pinions will compass. Its perpendicular 

 descents from great heights, dropping as it does and sub- 

 merging itself for several seconds, accompanied by a strong 

 roaring sound and a tremendous splashing of the water 

 and spray, are most thrilling sights, which can not fail to 

 excite respect for this remarkable bird. It is not always 

 successful in its attempts, however, and frequently it will 

 make many plunges into the waves before it seizes a 

 victim, which it invariably captures with its talons and 

 carries with the head foremost. 



After the expenditure of so much energy and the mani- 

 festation of so much perseverance, it seems that the per- 

 sistent fisher should be allowed to enjoy the proceeds 

 of its toil without molestation. However, sometimes the 

 osprey has scarcely emerged from the cloud of spray and 

 shaken the water from its oily plumage, ere the bald eagle 

 is in determined pursuit. Though the osprey is much 



