18 FALCONID-E. 



cry of joy and exultation, mounts high in the air, and soars 

 away to a distance to devour his prey. If, however, the fish 

 is too large to be borne away, he will consume it near the 

 water's edge. His manner of holding the fish is always with 

 the head directed forwards, and in this position the peculiar 

 formation of the scales of his feet enable him to hold it so 

 firmly that it is impossible even for prey so slippery to elude 

 his grasp. He sometimes hooks his claws so deeply into the 

 fish that he cannot extricate them until he has consumed it, 

 by carefully picking the flesh from the bones. 



Ospreys have been observed to plunge into the water and 

 not to rise again, which leads to the supposition that they 

 occasionally strike their claws into a fish too large for their 

 strength, and consequently are retained involuntarily beneath 

 the water and drowned. The peculiar formation of the 

 feet of the Osprey renders such a conjecture not alto- 

 gether impossible. The food of this species consists en- 

 tirely of fish, from a quarter of a pound to two pounds and 

 a half in weight. Trout and carp are preferred, but they will 

 also take other kinds that approach the surface of the water, 

 such as perch, chub, roach, etc. The Osprey does not pur- 

 sue, his prey to any great depth, as may be inferred by his 

 rising almost instantaneously after having plunged in pursuit 

 of it ; and he is consequently sometimes observed to emerge 

 unsuccessful, having failed in the attempt to reach his prey. 



When at rest, the Osprey may be seen seated upon a rock, 

 mountain, hill, or stone, but he rarely alights upon a tree. 

 They build, however, in forests upon a lofty tree, or resort 

 to buildings, ruins, etc. The nest is composed of an abun- 

 dance of strong branches, and is of a platform shape. In 

 May the female lays three or four eggs, which are hatched 

 after three weeks' incubation. The young birds are entirely 

 fed with fish, and are supplied by both parents. When, in 

 the act of fishing, the Osprey visits a pond, he crosses it 



