WINGED FISHERFOLK 
REAT is the community of the winged 
fisherfolk, and varied are its methods of 
securing its prey! Madras, being well sup- 
plied with sheets of water, is largely patron- 
ized by our feathered fishing friends. The kingfishers— 
the most able exponents of the piscatorial art—have 
already received our attention ; we may, therefore, pass 
them over and proceed at once to study the ways 
of some of their professional brethren. Of these the 
osprey (Pandion halietus) is, to my mind, facile prin- 
ceps. There is, in nature, no finer spectacle than one 
of these great birds at work. Watch it as it makes its 
way high over the water, now flapping its broad pinions, 
now gliding as a kite does. Suddenly something below 
arrests its attention. It hovers for a second, its wings 
then close and it drops like a falling stone. It enters 
the water with a mighty splash, sending up showers 
of spray, and disappears fora moment. A second later 
it emerges, the water pouring off its back and wings, 
with a fish in its talons. It then betakes itself to some 
suitable place in which to devour its quarry. 
The osprey is a winter visitor to India. It is abun- 
dant about the great backwaters of the east coast. 
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