THE OSPREY. 



29 



years ago that a bird of this species was seen frequenting 

 the high rocks on the sea-coast near Burnmouth about the 

 same time as the above incident occurred. 



Mr Campbell-ISroble tells me that two examples were 

 observed haunting the rocks on the coast opposite Colding- 

 ham Shore in October 1886.^ 



The Osprey feeds upon fish, which it takes by plunging 

 into the water from a considerable height in the air and 

 seizing them in its talons, or by swooping down and bearing 

 them off in its claws when near the surface.^ 



In former times its eyrie was to be found on many of 

 the remote lakes in the Highlands, but now it is seen in 

 very few localities. 



It is a migratory bird, leaving the northerly part of its 

 range in autumn and wintering in the south of Europe and 

 north of Africa. 



1 Information from Mr. Campbell-Noble, Coldingliani, on the 13tli of December 

 1886. 



2 A lisli when seized by an Osprey is always carried lengthways in the bird's 

 talons. — Seebohm, History of British Birds, vol. i. p. 59. 





