American Osprey. 247 
the purpose of compelling the Osprey to drop his prey or 
disgorge, which the superior bird, if his efforts have been 
successful, pounces down upon and seizes before it has had 
time to reach the water or ground. 
Powerful as the flight of the Fish Hawk is, yet it is never 
very high, nor much protracted. While skimming over the 
water’s surface, even at a moderate elevation, his quick eye 
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NEST OF AMERICAN OSPREY. 
Manner of Securing Food for Young. 
soon descries his quarry, and, in an instant, he pounces down 
with tremendous force below the water’s level, often to a 
great distance, but seldom missing his prey. Avising from 
his watery bath, he moves off to a suitable perch to digest 
his meal at leisure. But should the movement attract the 
keen vision of the bald eagle, who is generally waiting in 
some secret covert, or sailing so high up in the air as to be 
