PANDION. 
179 
pact and firm than that of the Golden Eagle, and 
when at rest it appears more sluggish, from the 
greater coverts being brought forward and kept 
in a hanging position over the quills, covering the 
thighs aud a portion of the side of the bird.* 
From these two noble birds we pass to the true 
Fishing Eagles, the British form of which is seen in 
the genus Pandion or Osprey, where the adaptation 
of structure to the habits of the birds is beautifully 
displayed. They subsist entirely by their own 
exertions, watching for and pursuing fish, with as 
much avidity as the true Eagles hunt their game 
on the land or in the air. Taking the common 
Osprey as typical, we perceive a form strong and 
compact, the head small, the wings very long aud 
powerful, and sharp pointed ; but the tail is short 
and square, being only an assistant in balancing 
the bird when surveying the water beneath, swift 
evolutions, or rapid turnings, forming no part of 
its style of hunting. The prey is seized in the 
water, struck by the feet of the bird, and these 
members, with the tarsi, are short and remarkably 
powerful. The toes and claws are perfect grasp- 
* In spring I have seen the White Tailed Eagle appa- 
rently paired with Osifragus , and I have reason to believe 
that they breed together J. V. Stewart, Esq. Loudon’s 
Slag, of Nat. Hist. v. p. 580 
