54 



THE OSPREY, OR FISHING EAGLE. 



months, this bird is frequently seen hovering ovei the rivers, or 



resting on tho 

 wing for seve- 

 ral minutes at 

 a time, without 

 the least visi 

 ble change of 

 place. It then 

 suddenly darts 

 down, and 

 plunges into 

 the water, 

 whence it sel- 

 dom rises 

 again without 

 a fish in its 

 talons. When 

 it rises into 

 the air, it im- 

 mediately 

 shakes off the 

 water, which it 

 throws around 

 like a mist, and 

 pursues its way 

 towards the 

 woods. The 



Bald Eagle, which, on these occasions, is generally upon the watch, 

 instantly pursues, and, if it can overtake, endeavors to soar above it. 

 The Osprey, solicitous for its own safety, drops the fish in alarm ; 

 the Eagle immediately pounces at this prey, and never fails to catch 

 it before it reaches the water, leaving the hawk to begin his work 

 afresh. 



It is somewhat remarkable, that whenever the Osprey catches a fish, 

 it always makes a loud screaming noise ; which the Eagle, if within 

 hearing, never fails to take as a signal. Sometimes it happens, that, 

 if the Osprey be tolerably large and strong, it will contend with the 

 Bag.*-, for its rightful property ; and, though generally conquered in 

 the end, a contest of this sort has been sustained for upwards of half 

 an hour. 



OflPREY BOBBED OF ITS PREY BT THE EAGLE. 



THE BLACK, OR COMMON BAGLE. 



Its length is two feet ten inches ; the bill is horn -colored, and the 

 oere reddish. The general color of the plumage is blackish; and the 

 head and upper parts of the neck, are mixed with yellow. The lower 

 half of the tail IB white, with blackish spots ; the other half blackish ; 

 The legs an; covered with dirty white feathers ; the toes are yellow, and 

 the claw.. Uack. 



