American Osprey. 247 



the purpose of compelling the Osprey to drop his prey or 

 disgorge, which the superior bird, if his efforts have been 

 successful, pounces down upon and seizes before it has had 

 time to reach the water or ground. 



Powerful as the flight of the Fish Hawk is, yet it is never 

 very high, nor much protracted. While skimming over the 

 water's surface, even at a moderate elevation, his quick eye 



NEST OF AMERICAN OSPREY. 

 Manner of Securing Food for Young. 



soon descries his quarry, and, in an instant, he pounces down 

 with tremendous force below the water's level, often to a 

 great distance, but seldom missing his prey. Arising from 

 his watery bath, he moves off to a suitable perch to digest 

 his meal at leisure. But should the movement attract the 

 keen vision of the bald eagle, who is generally waiting in 

 some secret covert, or sailing so high up in the air as to be 



