THE OSPRAY. 215 



contrast with the silvery surface of the waters that 

 embrace them, are the most interesting objects con- 

 nected with this landscape. From fifteen to twenty 

 in number, they vary in size and form, from mere 

 islets that cluster together in fantastic groups, to those 

 of sufficient size for ordinary farms. Ospray Island, 

 lying across the bay, one mile south of Beach and 

 Woods, and half a mile west of Jos. Woods on 

 Ospray Point, contains about thirty acres. This island 

 derived its name from the ospray, that yearly builds 

 her nest and rears her young thereon. Her nest 

 is a prominent object in the view, being some three 

 feet in diameter, and planted upon the top of the high- 

 est of a cluster of stately pines ; and is so strongly 

 interwoven with boughs and grass, as to resist the 

 wind and storm. The sportsman delights to gaze 

 upon this bird of solitude, as she returns from her ex- 

 cursions up the lake in quest of food, bearing the 

 struggling trout in her talons, while her unfledged 

 offspring, standing upon the verge of their aerial 

 house, with untutored voices and fluttering wings, 

 welcome her return. None disturb her domicile, or 

 question her right to protection. 



•' Woods' Island, containing about three hundred 



