O S P K E T .
the nest, that 1 could not reach within a Toot of the eggs without scrambling on to the structure itself. In
many instances the nest is heaped np to • height of three or even four fed, gradually growing smaller towanls
the upper part. In all cases t h e foundation consists of good-siied sticks, finer materials being used to complete
the upper portion.
The Fishing-Eagle (or rather Water-Eagle, as I have hoard this species termed in tho north) ought
apparently to prove an ugly customer to all aggressors and thoroughly able to protect its own. Once
when examining a nest I discovered the female sitting on a single egg, with the shell of another, which
wns hut recently lirokcn and sucked, laying beside her. In this ease both male and female were alive, and
could never have suffered from any intrusion of visitors, a-., besides being close to a keeper's lodge, tho ctrgs
were evidently quite fresh hud. It is difficult to understand how the L'row (and this robber was without
doubt tin' culprit, as I saw two pair u ithin half a mile of the spin) had managed to get a chance to approach
the nest.
I never rememlxT having seen it stated lh.it this species was nocturnal in its habits; hut on more than
one occasion, when in the neighbourhood of their nests, I have heard the old birds calling loudly during the
night. Owing to the darkness it was impossible to tell whether they were on wing or perched, although I
have stopped and waited some time in order to make sure.
Unless molested tho Osprey is always a most unsuspicious bird. I have seen one alight on a beacon
(marking the course of the Norwich river across Breydon mud flats) and allow two or three wherries to sail
past within fifteen or twenty yards without paying the slightest attention. These beacons (large llat-headcd
stakes, a foot or more in diameter) appear to ho favourite resting-places for this species, both in the tideways
and in the freshwater broads. 1 have also observed one pitched on a small pole, driven into a mud-bank
t o hold a net, that was no larger at the top than a good-sized walking-stick. Here the bird remained
apparently at its ease, though how it managed to retain its position was by no means clear. This specimen
was particularly confiding, turning its head and watching all our motions wddle I closely examined it with tho
glasses from a punt at the distance of little more than half a gunshot. At a Highland lodge I have
frequently visited it is no uncommon sight to notice one sitting on the boat-sheds close in front of tho
buildings. The female, like many other birds of prey, is by no means easily scared from her nest. "While
passing near an eyrie one spring, and being uncertain whether it was occupied that season, wc left the track
and proceeded a short, distance into the forest in order to examine it. After walking round tho tree and
noticing that the nest (which was not above fifteen or, at most, eighteen feet from the ground) did not appear
t o have received any fresh additions, we came to the conclusion that the birds had chosen some other spot.
One of the keepers at last happened to strike the tree with his stick, and I then noticed the white head of
the female rise up a short distance, hut immediately drop out of sight again. The large size of t h e nest hod
entirely hidden the sitting bird; and it was only when she sprung up for a moment that we l>ccauie aware
of her presence. Four or five of us walking about and talking loudly within a few yards or where she sat
had not caused her to move.
The young birds or this species appear to he quite fearless, and exhibit not the slightest shyness, eagerly
attempting to take food from their captors almost as soon as they have been removed from the nest. I have
never taken hut one pair that I required as specimens, although I might iiossibly have endeavoured to
rear one or two in confinement, had it not been, from some cause or other (most probably on account of
their fish-diet), that they proved so abominably offensive to the nasal organs tliat the occupation of feeding or
oven visiting them could hardly have been agreeable.
What fish these birds obtained whdc frequenting the fresh water in the south, I was always unable to
discern, though I have heard, from marshmcn and other natives in Norfolk, that they appear to have n
preference for tho rudd. On one occasion on Breydon I distinctly observed one, by the aid of the glasses.
OSPltEY.
making a meal off a butt, the local name for the tlounder. Must authors dcserilie the nnnner in which this
species seizes its prey, dashing down at limes with great force and clutchittg il w ith its powerful lulons. This
without doubt is its usual method; but under certain circumstances, I imagine, it is Torced to change ils
tactics. 1 have watched one or two, while searching tor tlminders in the muddy creeks on Brcvilou Water,
following the course of the channels, and fishing in exactly the same manner that Gulls may he noticed when
picking up the Moating refuse in a tideway, the only difference being that a tiull seizes the food with his beak,
while an Osprey grasps it in his claws. The thickness of the water render! il impossible for any fish to be
detected at a depth below the surface; tlouuders, however, may frequently be seen working their way closo to
the edge of the stream ; and from the manner in which the birds proceeded, I have not the slightest doubt thev
were in pursuit of this description of fish. After hovering round for a second or two, I have noticed one dip down
close In the inud-liaiik, and, although appearing si^arcely to have touched the water, sail off to some quiet spil,
where it could leisurely devour its prey,—a favourite resting-place in that locality being the sweeps of an old mill
standing within u short distance of the flats, from which a good view of approaching danger might he obtained,
i l ullcl are very plentiful in the upper parts of I trey dun Water, and to these the < Ispiey is stated to be particularly
partial when observed in the south of England. I have never as yet (though, of course, that is no proof I hat
tho bird does not) seen one attempt to capture any of (men fish on this water. Possibly il m-iy In- owing to
the fact that the only part where they can he seen below the surface is, during summer, almost choked by a
green slimy weed, which Would probably hinder the bird from taking its pray. On several occasions in the
Highlands I have noticed that small trout, a quarter of a pound or less, were brought lo feed the young ; and
the malo I have also observed carrying fish of about this sift- to the female while sitting. Although it has
been frequently remarked that large and heavy fish are captured, I have but once or twice M B a truut in their
talons that could have been a pound in weight. This species of fish, the common lake' or brow n trout, appeal!
to be their favourite prey in tho north, as I have noticed no other members of the tinny tribe taken. 1 was
rather surprised on one occasion to see a wounded Osprey disgorge some portions of an exceedingly suiiill
trout. Although the whole fish could not have been above an ounce or two (about the ataa of a sardine), it
had been bitten into two or three pieces, appearing to have been divided straight across, and looking as clean
cut as if chopped with a knife. On examining the remains it seemed strange how so small a fish could have
been grasped by the foot of the bird.
IS'ow and then I have come across paragraphs in different puhlieatiuns stating that this s|«sdes hud been
observed attempting lo capture bolh fowls and rabbits. 11' any faith can he placed in these rc|nnts 1 should
imagine the hints must have been much reduced by want before they would resort to such unnatural food.
Had not the robber in one instance licen shot, I should have been of opinion that some other bird of prey had
been mistaken for the Osprey.
Collectors and gamekeepers arc not alone responsible for the annual diminution in the numbers of Ibis
species. A wandering bird, while on its passage across the country, no sooner takes up its quarters for a short
time in the neighbourhood of some well-slocked pond or river, than tiie custodian of the water ln'comes alarmed
for the safety of the fish committed to his charge ; a strict watch is kept, and before many days bare alapaed
the unrortunalc stranger falls a victim cither to misplaced confidence or the temerity caused by excessive
hunger; and a paragraph in the county paper duly records the capture of the depredator.
Two or, more commonly, three eggs appear to lie the usual number. When all the young hinls have
been reared, I observed that by the time they were full-Hedged there has been considerable difference in I lie
size, the largest being, as nearly as possible, double the sizo and weight of the most backward. By the cud of
the second or third week in July the young birds arc generally fit to leave the nest. For some lime after
they are well able to fly they will remain about the spot, returning every night to roost upon the nest; and
here the old birds also bring them food.