Lesson XLI.
THE FISHHAWK
[Use for September,
Grade Seven]
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 fishhawk, 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.
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