360 OSPREY. 
records for Ireland, where the bird occurs chiefly on the autumn 
migration or in winter; but it has never been known to breed 
in that island, though many of the inland waters appear suitable. 
This species does not occur in Iceland or Greenland, but it is very 
abundant in North America; while it is generally distributed over 
the Old World as far south as Australia, so that it may almost be 
termed cosmopolitan. In Europe it breeds—either in forests near 
lakes, or on sea-cliffs—from Lapland to Spain, and eastward to 
Greece and Southern Russia; as well as from the north coast of 
Africa down to the Red Sea on the east side, and the Canaries and 
Cape Verde Islands on the west; likewise in suitable localities 
throughout Asia. Its distribution is, in fact, restricted by two con- 
ditions only : the bird must be in the vicinity of waters inhabited by 
fish which swim sufficiently near the surface to supply it with food, 
and the proximity of mankind is a decided objection. 
The nest is a bulky structure of sticks, sometimes mixed with turf; 
and on the top is a small cavity lined with moss for the reception of 
the eggs. These, 2-3 in number, are ofteri very beautiful, having 
the ground-colour of white or buff, with rich blotches of chestnut- 
red or claret-colour and underlying blurs of purplish-grey: average 
measurements 2°5 by 1°8 in. In the northern hemisphere they are 
usually laid towards the end of April or early in May. In wooded 
districts trees are generally preferred, and Booth stated that all the 
nests he had recently visited in the Highlands were in Scotch-firs ; 
but old buildings and rocky islets in lochs are also utilized. In 
North America the Osprey is gregarious, and as many as three 
hundred pairs have been seen nesting on one small island. Until 
taught caution by molestation it is a very unsuspicious bird, as 
every one must be aware who has read St. John’s ‘ Tour in Suther- 
land.’ The food consists of fish, upon which the bird plunges, 
often from a considerable height, and bears its prey away in its 
claws; these are remarkably curved and sharp, the outer toe being 
reversible and the soles of the feet very rough. 
The adult male has the head and nape white, streaked with brown; 
upper plumage umber with a purplish tinge ; under parts white, with 
a band of brown spots across the breast; cere, legs, and toes 
greenish-blue. Length 22 in.; wing 19 in. The female is larger, 
and more marked with brown on the breast; length 24 in. ; wing 
21 in. The young bird has pale edges to the upper feathers and 
the tail distinctly barred; the adult plumage is not attained until 
the third or fourth year. The irides are yellow in young and old. 
