12 OSPREY 



whole, in consequence of annual repairs and additions, be- 

 coming by degrees of the character described. 



Lonely forests near fresh-water lakes, from which the 

 birds can obtain fish, which constitute its only food, are the 

 favourite breeding-places of the Osprey, a pine tree with a 

 dead top being frequently selected. 



The Osprey breeds at the latter end of April and the be- 

 ginning of May. During the period of incubation, the male 

 keeps near the female, and provides her with food ; she sits 

 accordingly very close. 



It is a curious fact that smaller birds frequently build 

 their nests in the outskirts of those of the Osprey, without 

 molestation on the one hand, or fear on the other. Larger 

 birds also build theirs in the immediate vicinity, without any 

 disturbance on the part of either. 



The eggs differ somewhat in size and shape, preserving 

 the rotundity of form which is characteristic of the rapacious 

 birds. They are commonly three in number, but occasionally 

 two, and in some instances, though but very rarely, as many 

 as four. 



Their ground colour is white, or dull yellowish, or dull 

 brownish white, much mottled over, particularly at the thicker 

 end, and in an irregular manner, with brown or rust-colour, 

 with some specks of light brownish grey. The larger spots 

 are sometimes of a very fine rich brown. Varieties of colour 

 are common ; some are described as quite purple, others 

 orange red. They are rarely slightly marked, and are re- 

 garded by Seebohm as " ranking amongst the handsomest 

 in all the British Isles." 



