Identifier: royalnaturalhist47lyde (find matches)
Title: The royal natural history
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors: Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915 Sclater, Philip Lutley, 1829-1913 Frostick, W. B., former owner. DSI Brooks, W. T., former owner. DSI
Subjects: Zoology Natural history
Publisher: London and New York : Frederick Warne & Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ave, however, bred at Loch-an-Eilan Castle. In 1890 three birdsappeared at the nesting-place, one of which, after a fierce encounter, was killed,whereupon the others disappeared. In 1891 a pair again visited the district,but, instead of taking up their old quarters, selected Loch Merlich—some milesdistant—as their abiding - place. Here they were unfortunately disturbed, butin 1892 they once more reappeared at Loch-an-Eilan, where effective measureshave been taken to secure them from molestation. The osprey feeds almostexclusively on fish, which it captures both at sea and in fresh waters; and itis doubtless for the purpose of holding its slippery prey that the fourth toe isreversible, and the soles of the feet covered with spicules. Sir J. Richardsonwrites that when looking out for its prey, it sails with great ease and elegance,in undulating and curved lines, at a considerable altitude above the water, from 1 I have not had the opportuuity of examining the leg-bones of Polioaeus.
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usrHEV AND YOUXG. ORIENTAL FISH-EAGLES. 173 whence it precipitates itself upon its quarry, and bears it off in its claws; orit not unfrequently, on the hsh moving to too great a depth, stops suddenly inits descent, and hovers for a few seconds in the air, like a kite or kestrel,suspending itself in the same spot by a (juick flapping of its wings; it then makesa second, and, in general, unerring dart upon its prey, or regains the formeraltitude by an elegant spiral flight. It seizes the fish with its claws, sometimesscarcely appearing to dip its feet in the water, and at other times plungingentirely under the surface, with force sufficient to throw up a considerable spray.It emerges again, however, so speedily as to render it e\ident that it does notattack fish swimming at any great depth. On the Continent the osprey generally builds in the later part of April, layingthree, or rarely four eggs, which resemble those of the Accipitrine birds in beingblotched with shades of reddish Ijrown

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