THE OSPREY. 



103 



biirde'n, which is speedily torn to pieces by the 

 sharp beaks of the hungry brood. 



Although possessed of very powerful talons, 

 and capable of inflicting severe wounds, the Fish- 

 hawk is one of the most peaceable and harm- 

 less of birds, and is never known to assume the 

 aggressive, but prefers to betake himself away, 

 from, rather than to become a participant in, any 

 strife. 



It is a native of almost every part of the world. 

 Along tlie sea-board of North America, and occa- 

 sionally upon some of the inland lakes, it is fre- 

 quently seen. The colder regions of Greenland, 

 too, are visited by the Fish-liawk, and in the au- 

 tumn of 1872, Mr. Edward Whymper, while ex- 

 ploring that still little known land, obtained a fine 

 example. 



It must, however, but rarely wing its way so 

 far to the north, for Mr. Whymper's specimen is 

 the only one yet known to have been procured in 

 that country. As may be supposed, the Islands 

 of the Antilles are often visited by the Osprey 

 when leaving the northern latitudes on the ap- 

 proach of winter. 



In Great Britain it is still met with, though not 

 nearly so often as formerly, while on the conti- 

 nent of Europe it is 'a familiar bird. In the far- 

 off regions of, Australia, the Islands of the In- 

 dian Archipelago, and in India, the Osprey is 

 very common; but wherever it is found, it is ap- 

 parently always an inoffensive bird, bent only on 

 minding its own affairs, and is disinclined to in- 

 terfere with those of its neighbors. About five 

 or six species are recognized among naturalists. 



In America, the Osprey has a formidable 

 enemy in the powerful Bald Eagle, which often 

 robs him of the Fish he may succeed in catching. 

 The way in which this is accomplished is very 



exciting to witness, and is effected in the following 

 manner : 



As he proceeds toward his chosen haunt 

 to fish, the Eagle, perched upon some lofty tree, 

 watches him with eager gaze, never losing siglit 

 of his destined victim for a moment. 



As he rises from the successful plunge, and 

 utters his triumphant cry, the Eagle stoops 

 his body, and with wings half opened, sways 

 upon his perch. Then, as the Osprey gains a 

 moderate height, with a slirill scream lie launches 

 himself forth in pursuit. 



Too well does the Osprey know whence that 

 cry proceeds and immediately he commences to 

 rise in the air in wide circles, the Eagle doing the 

 same, each striving to get above the other. 

 Beautiful are their evolutions as with easy, grace- 

 ful sweeps they mount toward the heavens. 



Soon, however, the weight of the Fish be- 

 gins to tell upon the Osprey, which, tluis encum- 

 bered rises less rapidly than his powerful, long- 

 winged adversary. As he gains the ascendency, 

 the Eagle poises himself for a moment and stoops 

 down upon the Osprey, which, thus placed upon 

 his defense, drops the Fish to which he had so per- 

 sistently clung. Steadying himself for an instant, 

 as if to make sure of his aim, the bold robber of 

 the air darts down with lightning speed, seizes 

 the Fish before it reaches the water, and with 

 many a triumphant scream bears his ill-gotten 

 booty to the nearest tree, to devour it at his 

 leisure; while the unfortunate Osprey betakes 

 himself to other grounds, to seek, free from mo- 

 lestation, another supper to replace the one he 

 has just lost. 



But in the quiet lake depicted in the illus- 

 tration there are no swift-winged depredators to 

 rule over the gentle birds, who pursue the call- 



