36 
the nest of this bird on the top of the chim- 
ney of a ruin in the island of Loch Lomond, 
in Scotland ; it was large and fiat, formed 
of sticks laid across, and resting on the sides 
of the chimney, lined with flags. 
The legs and toes of this species are re- 
markably roughened with scales ; and on the 
inner side of the extremity of the outer toe 
are three spines. The thighs are covered 
with remarkably short feathers ; and a sort 
of downy plumage continues half way down 
the front of the legs, but they are bare be- 
hind. The roughened feet and the unusual 
disposition of the talons, which are formida- 
ble, are well adapted to secure the fish, 
which form its principal food. 
An Osprey was seen to stoop and carry 
off ^ a young wild duck, half grown, from the 
surface of the water at Slapton Ley; the 
duck by struggling fell from the talons of 
the bird, but was again recovered before it 
readied the water. 
Another was observed over the river Avon 
hawking for fish ; at last its attention was 
arrested, and like the kestril in search of 
mice, it became stationary, as if examining 
