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THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Found on most unfrequented headlands and islands, and on 

 the borders of rivers and lakes. It feeds on living fish, which 

 it procures by swooping down from its aerial outlook and 

 plunging into the water with so true an aim that it rarely 

 misses its object. It carries the fish ofE and devours it in its 

 usual resting spot. Disturbed on a promontory it pufe out to 

 sea with the confidence of an ocean liner. When near the water, 

 however, its flight is heavy and flapping. The nest is an 

 enormous structure, which may be 15 feet in circumference. 

 It is usually placed on the summit of a rock, but occasionally 

 in a high tree, always near the water. It is composed of sticks 



A. H. E. Mattingley. 

 Osprey's Nest, showing Eggs, and Coast of Kangaroo Island. 



and branches, and often lined with seaweed. The eggs, two 

 in number, yellowish-white, boldly spotted and blotched with 

 deep, rich reddish-brown, which colour in some specimens is so 

 dark as to appear nearly black. They measure 2.4 inches x 1.75. 



Order Strigipormes. Owls. 



In the Owls there is an evident facial disc; the plumage is 

 soft and fluffy, and the outer toe is reversible. 



