CH. III. osprey's EGGS. 31 



was carrying a fish in his claws. On approaching 

 he redoubled his cries, probably expecting the 

 well-known answer or signal of gratitude from his 

 mate ; but not hearing her, he flew on till he came 

 immediately over the nest. I could plainly see 

 him turning his head to the right and left, as if 

 looking for her, and as if in astonishment at her 

 unwonted absence. He came lower and lower still, 

 holding the fish in las feet, which were stretched 

 out at full length from his body. Not seeing 

 her, he again ascended and flew to the other end 

 of the lake, the rocks echoing his shrill cry. The 

 poor bird, after making one or two circuits of the 

 lake, then flew away far out of sight, still keeping 

 possession of the fish. He probably went to look 

 for the female at some known and frequented 

 haunt, as he flew rapidly off in a direct line. He 

 soon, however, came over the lake again and con- 

 tinued his flight to and fro and his loud cries for 

 above an hour, still keeping the fish ready for his 

 mate. I at length heard the voices of my friends, 

 and we soon launched the boat. The osprey be- 

 came much agitated as we neared the rock where 

 the nest was, and dropped the fish he held into 

 the water. We found two beautiful eggs in the 

 nest, of a roundish shape ; the colour white, with 

 numerous spots and marks of a fine rich red 



