OSPREY. RAPTORES. PANDION. 25 



According to MONTAGU, this species appears to be more 

 abundant in Devonshire than in any other part of the king- 

 dom. Its peculiar habits necessarily limit its appearance to 

 particular districts and situations ; for being strictly pisci- 

 vorous, it is only in the vicinity of lakes, rivers, or such Food, 

 pools of water as abound with fish, that we can expect to 

 meet with it. I have seen them upon Loch Lornond (where 

 they are said to breed), and upon Loch Awe, where an eyry 

 is annually established upon the ruins of a castle near the 

 southern extremity of the lake ; and another, in a similar 

 situation, nearly opposite to the Gorge, or egress of the Ri- 

 ver Awe. The nests are, however, generally robbed when 

 containing eggs ; and the young are hardly ever permitted 

 to escape. These circumstances will account for their de- 

 creasing numbers in Scotland. The Osprey is a powerful 

 bird, the female often weighing upwards of five pounds. 



Its limbs are very muscular, in proportion to its general 

 dimensions, and measure nearly two inches in circumference 

 below the knee. 



The tarsi and feet are clothed with scales, and the under 

 surfaces of the toes are very rough, and covered with protu- 

 berances, an admirable provision for keeping firm hold of 

 its slippery prey. The peculiar formation of the foot contri- 

 butes also greatly to this object ; for in the Osprey, the talon 

 of the outer toe is considerably larger than that of the inner 

 one (the reverse of which we find in its congeners), and the toe 

 itself is capable of being occasionally turned backwards. The 

 thighs are covered with short feathers, closely set, and are 

 totally destitute of the long plumes, which, in most instances, 

 adorn the legs of the Falcon genus. 



The plumage of the under parts of the body is also of a 

 close and firm texture, and nearly resembles that of water- 

 fowl. These peculiarities are in perfect accordance with the 

 nature and habits of the individual ; for, being subject to fre- 

 quent and complete submersion in pursuit of its prey, the 

 elongated thigh feathers would be only encumbering appen- 



