The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-07-20

but often only two in number. eonsid-
 erabIy larger than those of the domes-
 tic hen. They vary greatly in color and
 markings, some being almost white,
 with a few brown spots or blotches, and
 others so heavily marked as to appear
 solid red or chocolate. Both birds as-
 sist in the incubation, and when the
 downy, bright=eyed little chicks are
 matched, both parents help to apptase
 the appetites of these hungry yOungs-
 ters. It is at this season that one may
 best observe the osprey's method Of
 fishing. On many occasions have
 watched him for hours at timei it is a
 sight no lover of nature can weary of
 sight always full of daring, thrilling
 incident. A Jew strokes of his long
 powerful wings usually suffice to carry
 him out over the water, and there he
 sails in wide circles, his bright eye talk
 ing in wide expanse of water which
 he searches for sign of his prey. Sud-
 denly the sunlight glints from the sil-
 very side of fish, and the osprey
 pauses in his swinging flight, steadies
 himself by Tapping his wings in front of his body, and prepares to plunge.
 The next instant he has changed his mind, and once more he scales on out
 spread wings; the fish no doubt has
 swum down out of danger. Again, the
 great hawk pauses in his flight; he seems to stand in nid-air, as he flaps
 his wings and gauges the position of his prey. One moment only, and then, with long pinions half closed, the osprey shoots downward like a meteor. He strikes the water with such force that
 the splash may be heard for a long dis tance, and in the midst of a fountain of spray he disappears. To me, this is a moment of intense interest, not un- mixed with anxiety for my friend the osprey. As the spray sinks back into the flood, and the bird is nowhere to be seen, with beating heart I watch the spot where he went down. And as re- member that sometimes the dead bod ies of hawk and fish, locked fast to- gether, are washd above the drifted
 sand, silent prayer goes down to Nep-
 tune to spare the bird that puts its trust in him. And like to fancy that I the prayer has been answered, as see the water writhe with the struggle go- ing on beneath it, and as presently two shining wings pierce the surface and
 raise the gallant fisherman slowly into
 the air As he rises clear of the water,
 see that in his strong black talons he holds a fish, and as his form comes be- tween me and the skyI can see that the fish is carried in a particular way-al- ways the same Way-head first and in a line with the body. In this position it offers the least resistance to the wind, But sometimes he does not plunge so
 boldly into the water; he sails lightly above 1t and picks up a fish which has
 been swimming near the surface, seem- ing scarcely to wet his feet so neatly the act Is performed.
 The largest fish have ever seen an osprey carry into the air weighed three pounds, but at times the bird has been known to rise with one as heavy again. Audubon once fired at a hawk which dropped a fish weighing five pounds, but such weights, are much above the average. When the fish are small the old birds are obliged to catch good many, for young fish-llawks are reven- ous feeders, and long before they are
 ready to leave the nest two of them will dispose of four pounds of fish day very comfortably. '@1s The osprey is a most peaceable bird, never, so far as I have observed, inter- fering with the rights of any other creature. At times a strange intimacy exists between the osprey and the pur- pie grackle, the latter being permitted to build it's nest amongst the sticks which form the bulky home of the for mer. It has been stated that this friendship arises from desire for pro lection on the part of the smaller birds, l but I am more inclined to think that the scraps of fish, generously strewn by the osprey. form the chief attraction to
 the grackle. Nor is the latter the only creature which profits by the bounty of this mighty hunter. At night come the mice and rats, the mink and the skunks, and at times even larger four foots, to get shore dinner. while their I host sleeps under the stars, in the wind-rocked tree above them.
 In some parts of the range, the fish hawk has one great enemy--the bald
 eagle. This great bird is also fond of l fish, and he can catch it for himself l when he chooses; but he is not so clev- CT fisherman as the osprey, so he pre- l fers to rob his more skilful competitor
 His plan is to wait, on some command ling elevation, until The sees the hawk make successful plunge. Then he gives chase, and soon overtakes the
 honest toiler, who, heavily laden as he l is, makes brave effort to escape
 Finding his larger foe close upon him however, he is forced to release his
 hard-won prize, and the eagle, dropping like plummet, catches the fish in his talons ere 1t reaches the water. Ii
 seems pity that such bullying thiei | and bandit should have been selected as our national bird; it would have been far better to have chosen that personification of honest industry and peaceful strength--the American, os- ! prey. .,.. ., ,..-. -. | ERNEST HAROLD BAYNES. |