THE OSPREY. 31 
where they were posed. In this connection it is worthy 
of note that when the young Osprey had gained the centre 
of gravity, it would stand on the wrist as lightly as a pigeon, 
and there would be not the slightest pressure of the sharp 
claws ; it was only in the case of overbalancing or displace- 
ment, that their existence became so painfully evident. 
The toes of the bird on the left illustrate the usual perching 
attitude of Ospreys—two to the front and two to the rear. 
After taking the photograph we attempted to toss the 
youngsters back into their low nest ; but they were unable 
to regain it even although they struck quite close. So 
we were obliged after all to climb the tree and place the 
birds actually on the nest. Throughout the entire 
operations they uttered no sound. 
In the use of the blind it is always advisable, after the 
photographer has hidden himself within, to have a com- 
panion walk ostentatiously away. ‘The birds seeing him 
depart, are seemingly reassured, and will sometimes return 
to their nests at once. When working alone | have often 
been painfully impressed with the fact that Ospreys, if 
they cannot count two, can at least count one! In such 
cases it is useless to attempt to steal into the tent unseen ; 
they well know that danger is still present. Upon one 
occasion I called upon a friendly fisherman to do the 
“retreating act,” when, after hours of exasperating waiting, 
I was almost instantly rewarded with success. On the 
other hand, there are many birds less suspicious than their 
neighbours, which will after awhile readily accommodate 
themselves to the tenanted blind, although no attempt 
whatever has been made to divest it of its human 
personality. An amusing illustration of how completely 
an Osprey can come to disregard the blind and its human 
occupant, was afforded on an occasion when I was operating 
a cinematograph camera. I was desirous of arousing the 
bird into flight without leaving the blind. Starting 
with low coughs and faintly audible sounds, I was forced 
to pass through a varied category of gradually increasing 
