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Bald Eagle Attacking the Osprey

of which is the White-headed The length is about three feet, darts upon it, and it is easily overcome. largest of which is the White-headed In the genus heliætus belong the fish- Eagle. ing or Sea Eagles, the best known and and the extent of wings seven feet; the female is somewhat larger. Its usual much larger claw than the inner one. food is fish, but it eats the flesh of other This, and the roughness of the whole foot animals, when it can get it and often underneath are well adapted for the securseizes quadrupeds and birds of inferior ing of its prey. flight, and when pressed by hunger will During the spring and summer months feed on carrion. The flight of this bird the Osprey is frequently seen hovering is very majestic; it sails along with ex- over the rivers for minutes without visitended wings and can ascend until it dis- ble change of place. It then suddenly appears from view, without any apparent darts down and plunges into the water, motion of the wings or tail; and from the whence it seldom rises again without a greatest height it descends with a rapidity fish in its talons. When it rises in the which can scarcely be followed by the eye. air it shakes off the water and pursues its The power of wing is not more remark- way towards the woods. The Bald Eagle able than the consummate skill with which which, on these occasions, is generally on the strong pinions are made to cut the air. the watch, instantly pursues the Osprey, These birds live to a great age. They whereupon the latter drops the fish. The are generally seen in pairs and the union former immediately pounces upon this seems to last for life. The attachment of prey and never fails to catch it before it the old birds to their young is very great. reaches the water, leaving the Osprey to The breeding season commences about begin its work afresh. Sometimes the March and though each male has but one Osprey will alight and contend with the mate during its entire life, many and other for its rightful property, and though fierce are the battles which arise about generally conquered in the end, a fight of the possession of these spouses. this sort has been kept up for upwards of half an hour.

The Osprey or Fish Eagle.

The white-tailed Sea Eagle of Europe, The Eagle is regarded as the king of called also Osprey, is distributed over the birds. In ancient times he was the symnorthern portions of the Old World. It bol of the Roman Empire, as in modern feeds principally on fish, and when unable times he is of the American Republic. to obtain fish, on sea birds, young seals, James Gates Percival pays him the foland any small animals which it can sur- lowing fine tribute: prise. The length from the point of the beak to the end of the tail is about two feet, and the expanded wings measure somewhat more than five feet.

The wings, when closed, reach beyond the end of the tail. The head is small, and is brown or black, with white at the top. The upper parts of the body and the whole of the tail are brown, and the breast is white. It is a singular circumstance in the formation of this bird that the outer toe turns easily backward, so as on occasion to have two of the toes forward and two backward, and it has a Bird of the broad and sweeping wing, Thy home is high in heaven, Where wide the storms their banners fling, And the tempest clouds are driven.

Thy throne is on the mountain top; Thy fields the boundless air; And hoary peaks, that proudly prop The skies, thy dwelling are.

Thou sittest like a thing of light, Amid the noontide blaze:

The midway sun is clear and bright; It cannot dim thy gaze.

Thy pinions, to the rushing blast, O'er the bursting billow, spread, Where the vessel plunges, hurry past, Like an angel of the dead.