164 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

PAanDION HALL#TOS.—The Osprey, or Fish-hawk. (Pl. X.)

This is one of the most numerous of the larger birds of
prey, and is a native both of Europe and Asia; living on
the sea-shore, and the borders of lakes and rivers. It is
about two feet long; the head small and flat, the crown
white, marked with dark spots; the upper parts of the
body are of a rich glossy brown, the under parts being
white, slightly spotted with brown on the breast; the legs
are short, thick, and strong, of a pale blue colour, the claws
being black ; the outer toe is larger than the inner one, and
easily turns backwards, thus enabling the bird more readily
to secure its prey, which consists principally of fish, and on
which it darts with wonderful velocity and with an unerring
aim. The osprey builds its nest on the ground, and lays
three or four eggs. The name of this bird only occurs once
in the Bible, and this is in Leviticus xi., where it is classed
with those birds that are unfit for food: some commentators
suppose the black eagle to be intended, but the probabilities
seem to be quite as strong in favour of the osprey.

Astur.—The Hawk.

A genus of birds of prey very nearly allied to the Falcons.
The wings are short and rounded, and better adapted for
frequent ascent and descent than for long-continued flight ;