osprey. 347 



Provincial. — Fishing- Hawk. Fishing Eagle. Bald Buzzard.* 



This large species of falcon weighs between four and five pounds ; 

 length near two feet ; the bill is black ; cere blue ; irides yellow ; the 

 feathers on the head are brown, with white margins ; the back part of 

 the head, throat, and neck, white, with a little mixture of brown ; be- 

 neath the eye is a band of brown, reaching almost to the shoulder ; the 

 body is brown above, the under parts are white ; the feathers of the 

 tail are transversely barred with white on the inner webs, except the 

 two middle ones, which are wholly brown ; legs short, strong, naked, 

 of a bluish-ash colour ; claws long, much hooked, and black ; the outer 

 toe turns easily backwards ; and, what is remarkable, the claw belong- 

 ing to it is larger than that of the inner toe. 



These birds seem to vary a little in plumage ; that from which Mr. 

 Pennant took his description, had a spot of white on the joint of the 

 wing next the body ; the breast spotted with dull yellow ; the greater 

 quills black ; the interior webs varied with brown and white. 



This species is now rarely met with in England, and more frequently 

 in Devonshire than elsewhere ; it resides chiefly near water, especially 

 large rivers and lakes. Its principal food is fish, which it catches with 

 great dexterity, by pouncing on them with vast rapidity, and carrying 

 them off in its talons. We are informed that it is frequently seen 

 about the lake of Killarney, in Ireland ; and at particular seasons, no 

 doubt, breeds there. It is said to make its nest generally on the ground 

 by the side of water, composed of flags and rushes ; but we once saw 

 the nest of this bird on the top of a chimney of a ruin, in an island 

 on Loch Lomond, in Scotland ; it was large and flat, formed of sticks 

 laid across, and resting on the sides of the chimney, lined with flags. 

 It is said to lay three or four white eggs, of an elliptical form, rather 

 less than those of a hen. Many of the ancient writers have described 

 this bird to have one foot subpalmuted, a circumstance that has never 

 occurred in any animal ; each side always corresponding in size and 

 shape. The Osprey can neither swim nor dive, but takes its prey as 

 they approach the surface of the water. 



* The manoeuvres of this bird, while in search of his prey, is described 

 by Wilson, in his usual eloquent manner : — " On leaving his nest," he 

 says, " he usually flies direct till he comes to the sea, then sails round 

 in easy curving lines, turning sometimes in the air as on a pivot, ap- 

 parently without the least exertion, rarely moving the wings ; his legs 

 extended in a straight line behind, and his remarkable strength and 

 curvature of wing distinguishing him from all other hawks. Suddenly 

 he is seen to check his course, as if struck by a particular object, which 



