ITS POWER OVER FISH. 43 



Mr. Staunton thinks that the image is founded on the 

 fabulous power attributed to the osprey of fascinating the 

 fish on which he preys. In Peele's play of The Battle of 

 Alcazar, 1594 (Act i. Sc. i), we read : 



" I will provide thee of a princely osprey, 

 That, as he flieth over fish in pools, 

 The fish shall turn their glistering bellies up, 

 And thou shalt take thy liberal choice of all." 



Another of the birds of prey mentioned by Shake- 

 speare is "the lazar Kite" (Henry V. Act ii. Sc. i). 

 Although a large bird, and called by some the royal 

 Kite (Milvus regalis), it has not the bold dash of many 

 of our smaller hawks in seizing live and strong prey, but 

 glides about ignobly, looking for a sickly or wounded 

 victim, or for offal of any sort. 



" And kites 



Fly o'er our heads, and downward look on us, 

 As we were sickly prey." 



Julius Ccesar, Act v. Sc. i . 



" Ere this 



I should have fatted all the region kites 

 With this slave's offal." 



Hamlet, Act ii. Sc. 2. 



" A prey for carrion kites." 



Henry VI. Part II. Act v. Sc. 2. 



