ORDER ACCIPITRES. 231 



The osprey builds its nest in the rocks which border the sea- 

 coast, or in very lofty oaks. It lays two round and very heavy 

 eggs of a dirty white. It nurses its young with the greatest 

 affection ; but as one of the eggs is often unfruitful, the species, 

 though considerably extended, is not very numerous any where. 



The Pygargus, which is now ascertained to be the same 

 species as the osprey, though formerly separated, is found in 

 the northern parts of both continents. Pallas beheld a pro- 

 digious quantity of them in the mountains of the Volga. This 

 bird frequents the sea-coasts, and lives on fish, young seals, 

 ducks, &c., and the carcasses of animals cast on shore by the 

 waves. To make itself master of the diving-birds, it perches 

 on the point of the rocks, and, judging from the agitation of the 

 water of the place where the bird will reappear, it seizes it at the 

 very instant of its rising to the surface. When it has possessed 

 itself of a prey too heavy to be raised out of the water, it drags 

 it to the shore, flying backwards ; but when its talons have 

 entered the body of some large seal, and it cannot disengage 

 them, it is drawn into the water by the animal, and is heard to 

 utter the most piercing cries. Aristotle says, that this bird 

 also preys on fawns, deer, and roe-bucks. It has been ob- 

 served that the pygargi which frequent inhabited places, hunt 

 only for some hours in the middle of the day, and rest in the 

 morning, evening, and night. 



This bird builds its nest in rocks, and composes it of small 

 branches arranged in a circular form : the interior is furnished 

 with weeds, grass, moss, and feathers. Buffon informs us, after 

 Willoughby, that this nest is also found on large trees, whose 

 foliage constitutes its only shelter above. The female lays two 

 whitish eggs of the form and size of goose eggs. Incubation 

 takes place in April, and frequently but one young one is 

 hatched. These birds feed their young by throwing pieces of 

 flesh into the nest, which the latter quit as soon as they are 

 able to fly, and accompany the parents to the chase. 



The Balhuzzard is one of the most numerous of the accipi- 



