75 [Vol. xxiii. 



been chosen since tlie Osprcy has been so effectively 

 protected. 



4. Old Osprey sheltering its young from the heat. The 



parent birds would commonly fly out to sea, dip 

 their wings into the water^ and return to spray their 

 panting young. 



5. Fully fledged young just before flight. Though 



looking so fierce they have really no idea of self- 

 protection save by scratching with their sharp talons. 



6. Young on the nest Avith wings spread and ruffled 



plumage, in an attitude of defiance, attempting to 

 scare away the intruder. 



7. The old bird descending on to its nest from a great 



height, showing how every muscle is strained to 

 check the impetus. 



8. The old bird again returning, but this time in a hori- 



zontal direction, showing the expanse of the wings, 

 the long legs, and powerful talons. 



9. Folding wings on alighting on the side of the nest ; the 



tail is raised in order to preserve the bird's balance. 



10. The male bird returning to the nest holding a small 



fish in its left foot. Large fish were always carried 

 head foremost, to decrease the resistance to the air. 

 One might frequently see the bird changing a fish 

 from one foot to the other during flight. The 

 young did not seem at all anxious to be fed, but 

 would sit for hours contemplating their meal, while 

 it dried and shrivelled in the sun. 



11. Attitude as the bird swerves on seeing the camera. 



12. A remarkable position : bird returning at a great 



speed to settle on a dead bough above the nest. 

 The whole body is thrown back, the tail depressed, 

 the pinions of both wings upturned, and the long legs 

 with large talons outspread, seemingly occupying an 

 area nearly as large as the bird itself. 



13. Bird soaring above its nest which was placed in a tree, 



and showing the situation of other nests on the 

 margins of the mighty pile. In this instance there 



