I04 



THE OSPREY. 



iiigs of their peaceful natures undisturbed ; and 

 year after year the young start on tlieir life- 

 journey from the secure fastnesses of tliat lonely 

 lock, which has been to tiiem indeed an Island 

 Sanctuary. 



A variety of the Osprey can be tamed, and 

 taught to catch Fish for its keeper. Its head and 

 the under surface of its body are white, the other 

 part of the plumage is dark brown, with the cere 

 and feet of a bluish hue. Its nest is perched 

 high up among the branches of tall trees, and 



serves to contain three white eggs marbled with 

 brO'Afn. Til is bird is found on the margins of 

 large rivprs and the sea. He darts forth from 

 his unapproacliable haunt in lofty trees or inac- 

 cessible crags, upon liis living prey, and seizing it 

 in his beak, carries it off without stopping a mo- 

 ment in his flight. Sometimes the Fish is too 

 ■ large to be readily carried, and struggles to get 

 free ; in tliis case, however, tlie conqueror is 

 dragged by his victim into the sea, and drowned. 



