CHAPTER XI

THE OSPREY[119]

[The author gives only a very brief description of the Osprey and its habits, mentioning the peculiar structure of its feet, and its habit of hovering over water. He also mentions that like the _Shikra_ Sparrow-hawk (_Pīg͟hū_), and the _Sangak_, the iris is sometimes dark and sometimes yellow.[120] He adds:]—

I once took one alive with a _chark͟h_ and kept it in confinement for some little time. It could not be induced to eat meat, refusing all food except fish. It is with reference to the osprey that the poet has said:—

“Thro’ the mercy of God and His tender care The sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”

FOOTNOTES:

[119] _Damirdizināq_ T. Another name is _damir-qaynāg͟h_ T., from _damir_ T. “iron” and _qaynāg͟h_ T. “claws” (_nāk͟hūn_ P.). The author does not include this amongst the _ʿUqāb_ or Eagles. According to F. O. Morris, the osprey in olden times was occasionally trained for falconry.

[120] In the only living specimen examined by me, the iris was light brown, possibly a mark of nonage. In several standard works consulted, the iris is stated to be yellow.

Part II

_THE DARK-EYED BIRDS OF PREY_