THE ISLAND SANCTUARY. 19 



however he emerges,- rising heavily, for his talons grasp firmly a large fish (which 

 IS held lengthwise with his body, never across), and, after gaining a slight eleva- 

 tion above the water, he shakes his plumage free from the glittering drops that 

 still cling to it, much as a dog would on leaving the water, and wings his way home- 

 ward, announcing his success by shrill oft- repeated cries. The young hear the 

 welcome notes, and with many hisses, expressive of their gratification at the coming 

 feast, drag their half-fledged bodies to the edge of the nest, and with outstretched 

 necks and raised wings impatiently await the approaching parent bird. As he rises 

 slowly to the height of the nest, he makes one half-circle to see that all is right, 

 and then alights with his burden, 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 inoffensive 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 the sea-board of North America, and occasionally upon some 

 of the inland lakes, it is frequently seen. The colder regions of Greenland, too, are 

 visited by the Fish-hawk, and in the autumn of 1872, Mr. Edward Whymper, whilst 

 exploring 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 approach of winter. In Great Britain it is still met with, 

 though not nearly so often as formerly, while on the Continent of Europe it is a 

 familiar bird. In the far-off I'egions of Australia, the Islands of the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, and in India, the Osprey is very common ; but wherever it is found. It is 

 apparently always an inoffensive bird, bent only on minding its own affairs, and 

 disinclined to interfere with those of its neighbours. About five or six species 

 are recognized among naturalists. 



In America he 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 the Hawk proceeds towards his chosen haunt to fish, the Eagle perched 

 upon some lofty tree watches him with eager gaze, never losing sight of his 



