The Fishhawk

THE FISHHAWK.

• The fishhawk, or osprey, is not so large as the eagle; but he has, like the eagle, a hooked bill and sharp claws.
• His color is a dark brown, with black and white spots, and his length is from twenty to twenty-two inches. His breast is mostly white. His tail and wings are long.
• The fishhawk is often found sitting upon a tree over a pond, or lake, or river. He is also found by the seaside.
• He watches the fish as they swim in the water beneath him; then he darts down suddenly and catches one of them.
• When he catches a fish in his sharp, rough claws, he carries it off to eat, and, as he flies away with it for his dinner, an eagle sometimes meets him.
• The eagle flies at him fiercely with his sharp bill and claws, and compels the hawk to drop the fish.
• Then the eagle catches the fish as it falls, before it reaches the ground, and carries it off.
• The poor fish hawk, with a loud cry, timidly flies away. He must go again to the water and catch another fish for his dinner.
• Thus you see, that the eagle is a robber. He robs fishhawks, whose only mode of getting a living is by catching fish.