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THE OSPREY, OR FISH-HAWK. 193 
of an inch in circumference ; the feathers, arising from the 
spurious wing that lie close on the quills of the primaries are 
also very stiff and give them great support, each primary 
feather measuring seven-eighths of an inch in width from the 
greater wing coverts to near its extremity, with the lamina 
strongly connected by the fibrils of each; those on the upper 
edge of the shaft are stiff and curve downward, a wise pro- 
vision in its construction without which the resistance of the 
air against the wing would be lost by a counteracting resist- 
ance in its ascent. In its downward beat on the air the flat 
surface of the feather only presents itself, in its upward 
stroke its edges are presented, and the air passes through them. 
us the curvature, length, and power of the wings of the 
Fish-hawk are designed to be of great service under peculiar 
circumstances. Rising high in the air and wheeling in his 
flight, he discovers his finny prey far below him in the 
water. He poises himself for a moment, then swiftly de- 
scends upon his victim. The fish feeling the piercing claws 
of the hawk, leaps forward through the water, and, having 
his head lifted up by the power of the hawk, swims to the 
surface and is easily borne into the air; these are the more 
favorable circumstances for the hawk. 
_ There are instances when in striking the fish the hawk 
fastens to him less favorably, and does not so easily succeed 
m procuring his prize. When the hawk has seized his prey 
80 far behind as to give the fish an opportunity of descending 
deeper in the water, he is sometimes drawn under its surface, 
especially if the fish is large. When this oċcurs the struggle 
is desperate, for the contest is, which will now remain in his 
element. It is to the advantage of the hawk, being placed in 
Such hazardous circumstances, that his wings are differently 
constructed from those of other hawks. Those long, stiff, 
elastic quill-feathers arising from the hands of the wings of 
the hawk which curve to such a degree as to be used over his 
ody while partly submerged in the water, give him the vic- 
tory. After the osprey has secured his prey he rises from 
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AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IL. 25 

