52 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



touched the bow of the boat the ospreys reached 

 their eyrie. "Fire!" cried Mayne Reid. There 

 was a double explosion aud the two birds fell mor- 

 tally wounded, down the branches and rocks right 

 into the lake. These birds measured six feet three 

 inches across the wings, and- their skins were sent to 

 New York to be stuffed for Barnum's Museum. 

 Poor Jonathan obtained the same honour, though it 

 was a recompense too feeble for his merits aud his 

 virtues. As for the three young ospreys, only two of 

 them throve. 



One of my friends who is still living in the States 

 wrote to me lately sending me the kind remem- 

 brances of Mr. Marvin, adding by way of postscript 

 that the ospreys of the United States Hotel were 

 in excellent case, and that they worthily succeeded 

 their predecessor in providing their fortunate pro- 

 prietor with the best salmon in Saratoga Lake. 



Five months after the adventure which I have nar- 

 rated, the Yankee who slew Jonathan was drowned 

 in the lake, and his body was found half devoured 

 by the birds of prey. So Jonathan was avenged 

 after all. 



