OSPREY IN AMERICA. 51 



altering the position of the toes, but picking out 

 the portions of flesh between them with great 

 ease and dexterity."* 



* Nevertheless, the fact that this bird has generally the 

 power of relaxing his hold of his slippery prey will be fa- 

 miliar to all who have read Wilson's graphic account of his 

 habits in America. There the white-headed or bald eagle, 

 as partial to fish as the poor osprey, but too lazy to forage 

 for himself, sits patiently on the bough of some gigantic 

 tree commanding a view of the ocean, and when the osprey 

 rises from the surface with a prize, he instantly gives 

 chace, and frequently compels him to relinquish it. 



