OF THE UNITED STATES 203 



former the despoiler of the Osprey. They breed in communities, 

 as a rule, upon high trees near the water. In their big, shift- 

 lessly constructed nests each bird deposits her single white egg, 

 it having a chalky shell, not at all unlike that of a cormorant's. 

 Nestling birds have a plumage of dense white dow r n, as in the 

 case of vultures (Cathartes), and the feathers of the adult come 

 out .through this coat as the individual matures. Adult males 

 are blackish brown above, having a metallic sheen to it; the fe- 

 males showing white beneath, with feet of pink. But the males 

 have black feet and a scarlet gular pouch, the last being easily 

 observable while the birds are upon the wing. 



