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 ofi" 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 
