A BIRD OF SENSE 157 



of bis human neighbors with perfect com- 

 posure, looking earnestly from one to an- 

 other, almost, it seemed, with a curiosity 

 like our own, alert and extremely wide-awake, 

 but never stirring unless some one came too 

 near, when he was at once on his guard. If 

 he had cause to fear attack he threw himself 

 on his back in fighting attitude, and pre- 

 sented his terrible talons as weapons of de- 

 fense. The intelligence of his eyes and his 

 manner almost persuaded one that he could 

 speak if he chose. 



The dress of the captive was beautiful, 

 of rich chocolate-brown, with every feather 

 of back and wings tipped with white, a white 

 breast, and a white crest, which falling back 

 on his head as he flies, gives this bird the 

 appearance of being bald. 



As soon as the osprey was made to under- 

 stand that the piece of fish presented to him 

 at the end of a stick was a peace-offering, 

 he accepted it readily, and after that was 

 easily fed, the lady who captured him actu- 

 ally going fishing to provide his bill of fare. 



On examination it was found that the poor 

 fellow had been shot, and though not dis- 



