20 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. 



destined victim for a moment. As the Osprey 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 Hawk gains a moderate height, with 

 a shrill scream, he launches himself forth in pursuit. Too well does the unfortunate 

 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, graceful sweeps they mount 

 towards the heavens. Soon however the weight of the fish begins to tell upon 

 the Hawk, which thus encumbered rises less rapidly than his powerful long-winged 

 adversary. As he gains the ascendancy, the Eagle poises himself for a moment, 

 and stoops down upon the Hawk, who thus placed upon his defence drops the 

 fish to which he had so persistently 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 molesta- 

 tion, another supper to replace the one he has just lost. But in the quiet lake 

 depicted in' our illustration there are no swift-winged depredators to rule over the 

 gentle birds, who pursue the callings of their peaceful natures undisturbed ; and 

 year after year the young start on their life-journey from the secure fastnesses 

 of that lonely rock, which has been to them indeed an Island Sanctuary. 



