Here is the picture of a remarkable bird. We know him better by the
name Fish Hawk. He looks much like the Eagle in July "BIRDS." The
Osprey has no use for Mr. Eagle though.
You know the Bald Eagle or Sea Eagle is very fond of fish. Well, he is
not a very good fisherman and from his lofty perch he watches for the
Fish Hawk or Osprey. Do you ask why? Well, when he sees a Fish Hawk
with his prey, he is sure to chase him and take it from him. It is for
this reason that Ospreys dislike the Bald Eagle.
Their food is fish, which as a rule they catch alive.
It must be interesting to watch the Osprey at his fishing. He wings
his way slowly over the water, keeping a watch for fish as they appear
near the surface.
When he sees one that suits him, he hovers a moment, and then, closing
his wings, falls upon the fish.
Sometimes he strikes it with such force that he disappears in the
water for a moment. Soon we see him rise from the water with the prey
in his claws.
He then flies to some tall tree and if he has not been discovered by
his enemy, the Eagle, can have a good meal for his hard work.
Look at his claws; then think of them striking a fish as they must
when he plunges from on high.
A gentleman tells of an Osprey that fastened his claws in a fish that
was too large for him.
The fish drew him under and nothing more was seen of Mr. Osprey. The
same gentleman tells of a fish weighing six pounds that fell from the
claws of a Fish Hawk that became frightened by an Eagle.
The Osprey builds his nest much like the Bald Eagle. It is usually
found in a tall tree and out of reach.
Like the Eagle, he uses the same nest each year, adding to it.
Sometimes it measures five feet high and three feet across. One nest
that was found, contained enough sticks, cornstalks, weeds, moss, and
the like, to fill a cart, and made a load for a horse to draw. Like
the Crows and Blackbirds they prefer to live together in numbers. Over
three hundred nests have been found in the trees on a small island.
One thing I want you to remember about the Osprey. They usually remain
mated for life.
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
OSPREY.]