THE OSPEEY. 



11 



attracted its attention. After a pause of some time, it 

 descended to within about fifty yards of the surface of the 

 water, and there continued hovering for another short 

 interval, and then precipitated itself into the water with 

 such great celerity as to be nearly immersed. In three or 

 four minutes the bird rose without any apparent difficulty, 

 and carried off a trout of moderate size, and instead of 



THK OSeKi:,V. 



alighting to regale upon its prey, soared to a prodigious 

 height, and did not descend within our view." There can 

 be no reasonable doubt that the bird thus described at 

 such distant intervals of time is the same, and that the 

 Sea-Eagle of the ancients is the Osprey of the moderns. 

 Wilson thus eloquently describes its habits under the 

 name of the " Fish Hawk :" — " Elevated on the high dead 



