LESSON XLI.

THE FISHHAWK.

  1. The fishhawk, or osprey, is not so large as the eagle; but he has, like the eagle, a hooked bill and sharp claws.
  2. 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.
  3. The fishhawk is often found sitting upon a tree over a pond, or lake, or river. He is also found by the seaside.
  4. He watches the fish as they swim in the water beneath him; then he darts down suddenly and catches one of them.
  5. 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.
  6. The eagle flies at him fiercely with his sharp bill and claws, and compels the hawk to drop the fish.
  7. Then the eagle catches the fish as it falls, before it reaches the ground, and carries it off.
  8. 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.
  9. Thus you see, that the eagle is a robber. He robs fishhawks, whose only mode of getting a living is by catching fish.

LESSON XLII.

WHAT THE LEAF SAID.