98 THE BOOK OF BIRDS 



distant clump of trees, but whether it had caught a fish or 

 not we could not decide." 



And here is a companion picture which another 

 writer gives of this noble bird fishing in an Austrian 

 torrent : " It is beautiful to see the Osprey hovering like a 

 hawk high above the water, and keeping in a fixed 

 position, as if held by a chain, until it suddenly plunges 

 into the foaming mountain-stream with such arrowy speed 

 that the water closes over it. The next moment it flies 

 off with a slim trout in its claws." 



As Ospreys have a habit of appearing unexpectedly in 

 places that suit their fancy, one here, another there, — 

 young adventurers who have perhaps not long left the 

 nest and are roving about before making a home of their 

 own — some of my readers may have the rare good fortune 

 to see one of these beautiful birds. Autumn is the most 

 likely time, and the place will probably be either a wood- 

 land lake with tall trees to perch on, or a quiet stretch ot 

 seashore. 



But, except in Scotland, there are few places in our 

 island that are wild and lonely enough to give more than 

 a day or two's hospitality even to a stray member of this 

 world-wide scattered family. 



