Nest, &e. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
i+ RAPACES. FALCO. EAGLES. 
though it remains stationary for a considerable time. Its su- 
perior weight, he adds, may perhaps render it difficult to con- 
tinue suspension with an almost imperceptible play of the 
wings, like the kestrel. According to Tremmrnck*, it 1s 
found pretty generally disseminated throughout Europe, and 
is very abundant in Russia, Germany, and Switzerland. The 
Osprey builds in lofty trees, or amid rocks, as the situation 
may afford, and not, as WiLtLoucusy has mentioned, among 
the reeds in marshy grounds. It lays three or four yellowish- 
white eggs, speckled with reddish-brown. 
The figure at PLaTte 4. is that of a female bird, of the natu- 
ral size, and about two years old. 
The male is rather smaller, but similar in plumage. 
Bill large, straightish at the base, and very hooked at the tip, 
of a bluish-black colour; cere greyish-blue. Inrides le- 
mon-yellew. Crown of the head umber-brown, the fea- 
thers edged with white, hind part of the head and nape 
of neck white. On each side of the neck, proceeding 
from the posterior angle of the eye, and reaching almost 
as far as the shoulders, is a streak of blackish-brown. 
Throughout the throat, white, with a few brown streaks 
and speckles. On the upper part of the breast, a patch 
of umber-brown; this is indicative of a young bird, the 
adults generally having that part immaculate. Belly, 
vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts, white. 
The whole of the upper parts of the body umber-brown, in 
some individuals the feathers margined paler. Two 
middle tail-feathers umber-brown, the rest transversely 
barred with white on their inner webs. Greater quills 
blackish-brown. Legs short, of a greyish-blue colour ; 
the tarsi covered with rough scales. ‘Toes armed with 
very long talons, which are rounded beneath, and the 
outer one the largest. 
* Man. d’Ornith. 2d edit. 
