56 BIRDS OF PREY 



stalking their finny prey, and anon plunging with a loud 

 splash into the water. Sometimes the bold fishers go quite 

 out of sight. The most surprising thing about such perform- 

 ances is the size of the fish that an Osprey can lift and carry 

 away. 



In carrying a fish, an Osprey always grasps it on the back, 

 with one talon well ahead of the other, and the head of the 

 fish pointing straight forward. This is to secure a minimum 

 of resistance from the air, and render it an easy matter to 

 steer the prize to the home nest, or to a tall tree on which it 

 may be devoured at leisure. It is no wonder that a three- 

 pound Osprey carrying a one-pound fish is moved to jettison 

 his cargo when he sees a hostile bald eagle bearing down upon 

 him with empty claws, and his decks cleared for action. 



The story of the Osprey s of Gardiner's Island is a most 

 interesting chapter in bird life. The owner of that island is a 

 relentless enemy to cats and gunners, and a fierce protector 

 of all the wild life on the island, which is wholly his. His 

 weapons are loaded for hunters only, and for several years 

 the Ospreys have bred regularly around Mr. Gardiner's house, 

 and all over the island. One pair of birds has occupied the 

 same nest year after year, adding to the mass each year, until 

 the nest contains a wagon-load of sticks of many sizes, and 

 measures six feet in diameter. To-day, strange to relate, 

 some of the Ospreys are nesting practically upon the ground, 

 serenely confident of their security from all harm. 



The Osprey is built like a light-weight athlete, all bone, 

 tendon, hard muscle and wing power, and no fat. Its long, 

 half-naked legs and powerful claws remind one of patent 



