THE OSPREY. 19 
and to the birds’ odour. Be it said, however, that as a 
result of the unusual development in young Ospreys of the 
sanitary instincts and powers common to all Rapzores, 
the nests are usually surprisingly clean and never assume 
the offensive condition common to those of many other 
fish-eating birds. 
The sides of the Osprey’s huge abode are often used by 
smaller birds in which to construct their own homes. 
Purple Grackles especially, commonly build in convenient 
niches among the sticks even of the ground nests. Being 
naturally gregarious, they will congregate to the number 
of six or seven pairs in one Osprey’s nest. While living in 
perfect harmony with their lordly host above, they main- 
tain an attitude of respectful deference so long as he is at 
home. But when the young Ospreys are alone, the Grackles 
pass boldly among them in foraging for fragments with 
which to furnish their own table. ‘The only other bird 
that I have seen taking advantage of this somewhat strange 
nesting partnership, is the ubiquitous House-Sparrow, 
which is not to be outdone in variety of nesting-sites! Hiram 
Miller, gamekeeper on Gardiner’s Island, says there are 
more House-Sparrows living in Ospreys’ nests than there 
are about the Manor House and farm buildings. In 
addition to the Purple Grackles and Sparrows, Ospreys 
are recorded to have admitted House Wrens* and even 
Night ‘Heronst as basement tenants. On the beaches, 
Meadow Mice have found the nests to be convenient 
mounds under which to construct their multifarious 
run-ways. In 1910 I photographed an imposing tree nest, 
the picture including, besides both the Ospreys, a Purple 
Grackle, which was about to enter its home, and a Wood- 
pecker’s hole in the branch of the tree directly below the 
Osprey’s nest (Plate 30). 
These facts all tend to show that Ospreys are of a peaceful 
and sociable nature. I have found them nesting amid a 
* Allen, *f Auk,” 1X., 1892, p. 319. 
¥ Fisher, ‘‘ Hawks and Owls of the United States,” p. 131. 
