30 BIRDS OF l^REY. 



ware. Here they live together at least as peaceably as rooks j 

 and so harmless are they considered by other birds that, ac- 

 cording to Wilson, the Crow Blackbirds, or Grakles, are some- 

 times allowed refuge by the Ospreys, and construct their nests 

 in the very interstices of their eyry. It would appear some- 

 times that, as with Swallows, a general assistance is given in 

 the constructing of a new nest ; for previous to this event, a 

 flock have been seen to assemble in the same tree, squealing as 

 is their custom when anything materially agitates them. At 

 times they are also seen engaged in social gambols high in the 

 air, making loud vociferations, suddenly darting down, and then 

 sailing in circles ; and these innocent recreations, like many 

 other unmeaning things, are construed into prognostications of 

 stormy or changing weather. Their common friendly call is a 

 kind of shrill whistle, ^phew, ''phew, ^phew, repeated five or six 

 times, and somewhat similar to the tone of a fife. Though 

 social, they are sometimes seen to combat in the air, instigated 

 probably more by jealousy than a love of rapine, as their food 

 is always obtained from an unfailing source. 



Early in May the Osprey commences laying, and has from 

 two to four eggs. They are a little larger than those of the 

 Common Fowl, and are from a reddish or yellowish cream -color 

 to nearly white, marked with large blotches and points of 

 reddish brown. During the period of incubation the male 

 frequently supplies his mate with food, and she leaves her eggs 

 for very short intervals. 



The young appear about the last of June, and are most 

 assiduously attended and supplied. On the approach of any 

 person towards the nest, the parent utters a peculiar plaintive, 

 whistling note, which increases as it takes to wing, sailing 

 round, and at times making a quick descent, as if aiming at 

 the intruder, but sweeping past at a short distance. On the 

 nest being invaded, either while containing eggs or young, 

 the male displays great courage and makes a violent and 

 dangerous opposition. The young remain a long time in the 

 nest, so that the old are sometimes obliged to thrust them 

 out and encourage them to fly ; but they still, for a period, con- 

 tinue to feed them in the air. 



