348 OSPREY. 



abundant in North America ; while it is so generally distributed 

 southwards to Australia and northwards again to Japan, that it may 

 almost be termed cosmopolitan. In Europe it breeds — either 

 in forests near lakes, or on sea-cliffs, as in the Mediterranean — from 

 Lapland to Spain, and eastward to Greece and Southern Russia ; as 

 is also the. case along the coast of North Africa to the Red Sea, and 

 in suitable localities throughout Asia. Its distribution is, in fact, 

 restricted by two conditions only : the bird must always be near 

 waters inhabited by fish which swim sufficiently near the surface to 

 supply it with food, and the close proximity of man is a decided 

 objection. 



The nest is a bulky structure of sticks, sometimes mixed with turf ; 

 and on the top is a small cavity lined with moss, for the reception of 

 the eggs. These, 2-3 in number, are often very beautiful, having 

 the ground-colour of white or buff, with rich blotches of chestnut- 

 red or claret-colour, and underlying blurs of purplish-grey : average 

 measurements 2*5 by iS in. In the northern hemisphere they are 

 usually laid towards the end of April or early in May. In wooded 

 districts trees are generally preferred, and Mr. Booth says that all the 

 nests he has recently visited in the Highlands have been in Scotch- 

 firs ; but formerly rocky islets in lochs, and ruined castles, were much 

 in vogue. In North America the Osprey is gregarious, and as 

 many as three hundred pairs have been seen nesting on one small 

 island. Until taught caution by molestation, it is a very unsuspicious 

 bird, and every one who has read St. John's ' Tour in Sutherland,' 

 must be aware of the ease with which it can be butchered at its 

 breeding-place. The food consists entirely of fish, upon which the 

 bird plunges, often from a considerable height, and which it bears 

 away in its claws ; these are remarkably curved and sharp, the 

 outer toe being reversible and the soles of the feet very rough. 



The adult male has the head and nape white, streaked with brown ; 

 upper plumage umber, with a purplish tinge ; under parts white, with 

 a band of brown spots across the breast ; cere, legs, and toes 

 greenish-blue. Length 22 in. ; wing 19 in. The female is larger, 

 and more marked with brown on the breast. Length 24 in. ; wing 

 21 in. The young bird has pale edges to the upper feathers and 

 the tail is distinctly barred. The adult plumage is not attained 

 until the third or fourth year. The irides are yellow in young 

 and old. 



