The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



before he again paused and then shot down towards 

 the water. This time he abruptly spread his 

 great wings just before reaching the water so that 

 he no more than wet his feet. Once more a fish 

 had escaped him. But Plunger seemed not in 

 the least discouraged. He is a true fisherman 

 and every true fisherman possesses patience. 

 Up again he spiraled until he was so high that 

 Peter wondered how he could possibly see a fish 

 so far below. You see, Peter didn't know that 

 it is easier to see down into the water from high 

 above it than from close to it. Then, too, there 

 are no more wonderful eyes than those possessed 

 by the members of the Hawk family. And 

 Plunger the Osprey is a Hawk, usually called 

 Fish Hawk. 



A third time Plunger shot down and this time, 

 as in his first attempt, he struck the water with a 

 great splash and disappeared. In an instant he 

 reappeared, shaking the water from him in a 

 silver spray and flapping heavily. This time 

 Peter could see a great shining fish in his claws. 

 It was heavy, as Peter could tell by the way in 

 which Plunger flew. He headed towards a tall 

 tree on the other bank of the Big River, there 

 to enjoy his breakfast. He was not more than 

 halfway there when Peter was startled by a 

 harsh scream. 



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