THE OSPREY. 29 



remarkably sharp, while they exhibit another peculiar- 

 ity in being perfectly rounded a structure which will 

 allow either an easy piercing or a quick retractation 

 or loosening of the hold, if the prey should prove too 

 weighty. The length of this bird is about 23 inches, 

 the beak is much hooked and is of a bluish-black ; 

 it has long lanceolate feathers on the back of the 

 head, which when raised look like a crest. The head 

 and nape are white and brown. The posterior part 

 of the auriculars, wings, and back, are dark-brown, but 

 the tips of the feathers on the back and scapulars are 

 paler. The wing-feathers are rather longer than those 

 of the tail ; they are w r hite at the under part, and 

 marked with brown. The tail is short and square 

 the feathers are ample, the colour is brown with pale 

 bars, the shafts and under parts are white." Mr. 

 Wolley says: "I have seen several nests of the Os- 

 prey upon the highest points of ruins, in and about 

 lochs in Scotland, and several more upon small 

 isolated rocks projecting out of the water. There is 

 something in the general appearance of the nest 

 which reminds one of nests of the wood-ants ; it is 

 usually in the form of a cone cut off at the top. The 

 sticks project very slightly beyond the sides, and are 

 built up with turf and other compact materials ; the 

 summit is of moss, very flat and even, and the cavity 

 occupies a comparatively small part of it. I know 

 no other nest at all like it. There was a nest for 

 some years on the sloping trunk of a tree, which 

 several persons have described to me. The birds are 

 very constant year after year in returning to their old 

 stations, and even after one or both birds have been 



