Parasites and Predators 



The robbing of the pelican by the gulls may have been 

 an isolated instance of piracy, but there are many cases 

 of animals which persistently and methodically rob their 

 fellows. 



The white-headed sea-eagle or bald-eagle lives by piracy 

 on the osprey. The latter bird is an expert fisherman. 

 A keen-sighted, powerful flyer, he sails majestically over 

 his fishing grounds till he is rewarded by the sight of some 

 finny prey worthy of his mettle. Down into the water he 

 plunges anon and momentarily vanishes in a shower of 

 spray, to return presently with a fish grasped firmly in his 

 powerful talons. 



Lucky is the osprey who has fished unobserved, for the 

 bald-eagle and his mate have probably watched him from 

 afar. The lightning plunge of the osprey is the signal for 

 these bold robbers to hasten themselves. With awe- 

 inspiring screams, he and his mate attack the heavily laden 

 osprey, who sooner or later abandons the unequal combat 

 and relinquishes his prey. Almost before the fish has left 

 the osprey's talons it is seized by the eagles and borne off 

 in triumph to the neighbouring cliffs and there devoured. 



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