OSPREY. FISH HAWK. 
325 
HABITS 
There are none among the rapacious birds, that are better known throughout the coun¬ 
try than the Fish Hawks, not only because they are very common but also because the 
birds have become famous through Wilson’s history of their habits, especially his inimita¬ 
ble description of the manner in which the Ospreys are robbed by the Bald Eagles. In re¬ 
gard to this, I think, however, that the Ospreys are not great sufferers, for according to 
my experience which has been somewhat extended, for I have long been familiar with both 
of these birds, it is a rare sight to see an Eagle in pursuit of an Osprey. This is especi¬ 
ally noticeable in Florida, where both species are remarkably abundant. There is a reach 
of Mosquito Lagoon, near the inlet on the west side, which is shut off from the main por¬ 
tion by a series of islands, and which is very shallow, especially at. low tide; in fact, at 
such times, there is but a few inches of water remaining in it. Thus fishes, in attempting 
to go through the pass, are obliged to make their way very slowly, or to wait the rise of 
the tide; consequently they accumulate in large numbers in the deepest pools. The Os¬ 
preys appear to have learned this fact for they flock to the place in order to catch their 
comparatively helpless prey, and I have counted fifty in the air at one time, besides others 
sitting on trees near the water; yet I never saw an Eagle attempt to rob one more than 
twice and in both instances, the Osprey got off with its booty by actually outstripping 
the Eagle in flight. 
Usually the Ospreys are certain of their prey when it is once grasped in their strong, 
well-curved talons but I once saw one completely puzzled. I was standing on the beach 
in front of my camp, near the Haulover Canal, on Indian River, one morning, when I ob¬ 
served an Osprey drop down in front of me, some two hundred yards distant, catch a fish, 
and rise slowly with it in air. I watched him as he paused to give the peculiar shiver, 
which is characteristic of this species, in order to shake off the water from his plumage, 
then he adjusted the fish to his liking, carrying it, as is usual, longitudinal with his own 
body, the head first. All this occupied but a few seconds and the bird was all the time 
moving forward toward me, when all at once, I observed that he was getting uneasy about 
something, for he bent his head, moved slowly, and was evidently trying to get a firm hold 
of the fish that appeared to be slipping from his grasp. All these efforts were in vain, 
however, for just as the Osprey reached a point nearly over my head, the fish freed itself 
and fell, striking the ground almost at my feet, while the Fish Ilawk giving vent to his 
disappointment by loud, whistling screams, returned to try his fortune again. I stepped 
forward and picked up the fish, when the mystery was explained. It was a globe fish, a 
peculiar species which inhabits the waters of Florida, and which is not only provided with 
a tough, loose skin but is also endowed with the power of pumping air into the space be¬ 
tween the skin' and body until it becomes swelled like a ball or globe; whence the name. 
The Osprey had, perhaps by mistake, caught one of these fishes which, as soon as it had 
felt the talons of its captor, began to pump air into its receptacle, thus spreading apart the 
strong claws of the bird until it fell from his grasp. The moment of deliverance came just 
an instant too late, however, as it only escaped one danger to meet its death, for it was 
completely dead when I picked it up, it being killed by the fall. 
