FAc.Les. RAPACES. FALCO. 13 
dom. Its peculiar habits necessarily limit its appearance to 
particular districts and situations; for being strictly pisci- 
vorous, it is only in the vicinity of lakes, rivers, or such Food. 
pools of water as abound with fish, that we can expect to 
meet with it. I have seen them upon Loch Lomond, where 
they are said to breed; but they are far from being nume- 
rous in Scotland. The Osprey is a powerful bird, the fe- 
males often weighing upwards of five pounds. 
Its limbs are very muscular, in proportion to its general 
dimensions, and measure nearly two inches in circumference 
below the knee. 
The tarsi and feet are clothed with scales, and the under 
Weight, 
&C 
surfaces of the toes are very rough, and covered with protu- 
berances,—an admirable provision for keeping firm hold of 
its slippery prey —The peculiar formation of the foot contri- Form of 
butes also greatly to this object ; for in the Osprey, the talon om 
of the outer toe is considerably larger than that of the inner 
one (the reverse of which we find in its congeners), and the toe 
itself 1s capable of being occasionally turned backwards. ‘The 
thighs are covered with short feathers, closely set, and are Peculiarity 
totally destitute of the long plumes, which, in most instances, Caplin 
adorn the legs of the Falcon genus. 
The plumage of the under parts of the body is also of a 
close and firm texture, and nearly resembles that of water- 
fowl. ‘These peculiarities are in perfect accordance with the 
nature and habits of the individual ; for, being subject to fre- 
quent and complete submersion in pursuit of its prey, the 
elongated thigh feathers would be only encumbering appen- 
dages; and a more open and delicate texture of feather would 
prove no defence against the element it so often visits. 
The general flight of the Osprey is heavy, and like the Flight. 
common buzzard, but at times it glides slowly along, with 
motionless wing. Mowntacu * observes, that when examining 
the water for its prey, its wings are in continval action, al- 
“ Article Osprey, in Supplement to Ornithological Dictionary, where 
some interesting facts are given relative to the history of this bird. 
