OSPKEV. FISH HAWK. 



2'M) 



II AIUTS 



There are none amonii' the rapacious binls, tliat are better known throughout the coun- 

 try than the Fish Hawks, not only because they are very coninion but also l)ecause the 

 birds have become famous through Wilson's history of their habits, especially his inimita- 

 ble description of the manner in which the Ospreys are robbed by the Bald Eagles. In re- 

 g-ard to this, I think, however, that the Ospreys are not great sullerers, for according to 

 my experience which has been somewhat extended, for I have long been familiar with both 

 of these birds, it is a rare sight to see an Eagle in pursuit of an Osprey. This is especi- 

 ally noticeable in Florida, where both species are remarkably al)undaut. There is a rv.uAx 

 of Mosquito Lagoon, near the inlet on the west side, which is shut off from the main por- 

 tion by a series of islands, and which is very shallow, especially at low tide; in fact, at 

 such times, there is but a few inches of water remaining in it. Thus fishes, in attempting 

 to go through the pass, are obliged to make their way very slowly, or to wait the rise of 

 the tide; consequently they accumulate in large numbers in the deepest pools. The Os- 

 pn^ys appear to have learned this fact for they flock to the place in order to catch their 

 comparatively helpless prey, and I have counted fifty in the air at one time, besides others 

 sitting on ti'ees near the water; yet I never saw an Eagle attempt to rob one more than 

 twice and in both instances, the Osprey got off with its booty by actually outstripping 

 the Eagle in tliglit. 



Usually tne Ospreys are certain of their prey when it is once grasped in their strong, 

 well-curved talons but I once saw one completely puzzled. I was standing on the beach 

 in front of my camp, near the Ilaulover Canal, on Indian River, one morning, when I ob- 

 served an Osprey drop down in front of me, some two hundred yards distant, catch a fish, 

 and rise slowly with it in air. I watched him as he paused to give the peculiar shiver, 

 which is characteristic of this species, in order to shake off the water from his plumage, 

 then he adjusted the fish to -his liking, carrying it, as is usual, longitudinal with his own 

 body, the head first. All (his occupied but a few seconds and the bird was all the time 

 moving forward toward me, when all at once, I observed that he was getting uneasy about 

 something, for ho bent his head, moved slowly, and was evidently trying to get a firm hold 

 of the fish that appeared to be slipping from his grasp. All these eflorts were in vain, 

 however, for just as the Osprey reached a point nearly over my head, the fish freed itself 

 and fell, striking the ground almost at my feet, while the Fish Hawk giving vent to his 

 disappointment by loud, whistling screams, returned to try his fortune again. I stepped 

 forward and picked up the fish, when the mystery was explained. It was a globe fish, u 

 peculiar species which inhabits the waters of Florida, and which is not only provided witli 

 a tough, loose skin but is also endoweil with the power of pumping air into the space be- 

 tween the skin and body until it becomes swelled like a ball or globe; whence the name. 

 The Osprey had, perhaps by inistake, caught one of these fishes which, as soon as it had 

 felt the talons of its captor, began to pump air into its receptacle, thus spreading apart the 

 strong claws of the bird until it fell from his grasp. The moment of deliverance came just 

 an instant too h.te, hovyever, as it only escaped one danger to meet its death, for it was 

 completely dead when I picked it u[i, it being killed by the fall. 



