FALCONID&. 161 



year. The male bird left the neighbourhood after the 

 female was killed ; but as a male Osprey was shot on 

 the river at Maidenhead a few days afterwards, it 

 was most probably the same bird. 



My friend Mr. Sharpe sent me word that an Osprey 

 was killed at Cookham, in October, 1864. Mr. Briggs 

 observed the bird flying slowly along over Lord 

 Boston's woods, and while intent upon watching it, it 

 sailed over to the place where he was standing, and 

 circled around him at the height of about thirty 

 yards. He called to a man who was near him to 

 fetch his gun ; but by the time it arrived the bird 

 was out of shot, and was pursuing its course down 

 the Thames with graceful flight. A gentleman, who 

 happened to be out on the river with a gun, observed 

 the Osprey approaching, and as soon as it was near 

 enough, fired, and winged it. It fell into the water, 

 and was then despatched by a blow from a boat-mop. 

 For several days previously a large hawk (probably 

 this Osprey) had frequented the Hedsor woods, and 

 three days afterwards another Osprey was seen near 

 the same spot by a person named Stanniforth, the 

 lock-keeper at Cookham. 



During the years 1865, 1866, 1867, and the early 

 part of 1868, an Osprey was frequently observed near 

 Surley Hall, and although many attempts were made 

 to shoot it, it fortunately contrived to escape. 



A man, who had several times seen this bird hover- 

 ing over the water in search of fish, told me that 



M 



