THE OSPREY. 13

of large rivers and lakes, and it feeds
chiefly on fish, which it is very expert at.
catching, by darting upon them in the
water. This bird has an unsparing enemy
in the bald-headed eagle, which watches
until the Fish Hawk takes its prey, and
then forces it to let the fish drop. This
pirate eagle thus obtains an easy sub-
sistence. Still, such is the industry and
perseverance of the Osprey, that it always
has an abundance of food for itself and
its young. -