THE OSPREY. 29 
rence) they never dangle loosely, but are held rigid with 
the “fists clenched.” Upon the resumption of normal 
flight, the legs are drawn back under the tail, without being 
bent and with the “‘fists”’ still clenched. Sometimes they 
are not pressed firmly up against the tail-feathers, and 
from the side, light can be seen between the outstretched 
legs and the tail. 
An amusing “ fish story ” in connection with the Osprey 
is told by the fishermen on the coast of Virginia. The 
patient Fish-Hawk, after having been many times thwarted 
of its rightful prey by the Eagle, at last manages to steal 
away and consume a meal in seclusion. He then flies 
forth into the open, and flapping his wings calls loudly, 
“‘ Feesh, feesh.”” The Eagle, at the welcome sound, rushes 
from his perch and assails the Hawk. Whereupon he lets 
fall from his talons the meatless bones of the fish he has 
just eaten, and flies away with (we may imagine) an audible 
chuckle of delight ! ! 
One of two methods was used in obtaining all the 
photographs of the adult Ospreys reproduced herewith. 
Either the camera was set up near the nest and released 
by a long thread from some hiding-place, or else—a much 
more satisfactory method when the birds would permit it— 
a “ blind,” concealing both operator and camera, was placed 
close to the nest (Plate 10a). ‘The type of blind we used 
is of the now well-known umbrella variety, originally 
invented by Mr. Frank Chapman; it consists of an open 
umbrella draped about with denim, thus forming a little 
tent inside of which the photographer can work unseen. 
I know of no more inspiring ornithological experience 
than the intimate acquaintance which the ground nests 
of the Osprey afford to the observer in the blind. The 
audible touch of the bird’s feet, as she alights upon the 
nest (Plate 100), the flash of her eye, the raising of her 
crest (Plate 11), the cry of recognition, and the following 
gaze as her mate flies overhead, the ruffling of the feathers 
to keep cool, the tender survey of the youngsters at her 
