242 THE OSPREY. 
luckless fish with such force that it drives a shower of spray in every 
direction, and soon emerging, flies away to its nest, bearing its prey in iis 
grasp. In order to enable it to seize and retain so slippery a creature as a 
fish, the claws of the Osprey are long, curved, and very sharp, the soles of 
BALD, OR WHITE-HFEADED EAGLE.—(Hfaliaetus Leucocephalus.) 
the feet are rough, and the outer toe is capable of great versatility. When 
the bird has settled upon its nest, or upon any spot where it intends to 
eat its prey, it does not relinquish its hold, but, as if fearful that the fish 
should escape, continues its grasp, and daintily picks away the flesh from 
between its toes. 
