12 FALCONID^E. 



limb of some gigantic tree, that commands a wide view 

 of the neighbouring shore and ocean, the great White- 

 headed Eagle seems calmly to contemplate the motions 

 of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy 

 vocations below. High over all these hovers one whose 

 actions instantly arrest all his attention. By his wide 

 curvature of wing, and sudden suspension in air, he knows 

 him to be the Fish Hawk settling over some devoted 

 victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and 

 balancing himself with half-open wings on the branch, 

 he watches the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from 

 heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the 

 roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the 

 deep, making the surges foam around. At this moment 

 the eager looks of the Eagle are all ardour ; and, levelling 

 his neck for flight^ he sees the Fish Hawk once more 

 emerge struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air 

 with screams of exultation. These are the signals for our 

 hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives chase, 

 soon gains on the Fish Hawk : each exerts his utmost 

 to mount above the other, displaying in the rencontres 

 the most elegant and sublime aerial evolutions. The un- 

 incumbered Eagle rapidly advances, and is just on the 

 point of reaching his opponent, when, with a sudden 

 scream, probably of despair and honest execration, the 

 latter drops his fish : the Eagle, poising himself for a 

 moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends like a 

 whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp ere it reaches the 

 water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently away to the 

 woo'ds." 



The Osprey has been observed on various parts of the 

 coast of Great Britain and Ireland, and in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Scottish Lakes, not merely as a stray visitor, 

 but making itself, during summer at least, entirely at 

 home. It may be considered, in fact, as a citizen of the 

 world, for it has been found in various parts of Europe, 



