“The Osprey, or Sea-Eagle, which I mentioned to you when I last had the pleasure of seeing you,” said Uncle Thomas to his young hearers on a subsequent evening, when they had once more gathered round his chair, “though not quite so large as the Golden Eagle, is yet a very powerful Bird, being in general upwards of two feet in length, its wings extending about five feet and a half. It seeks its prey by water only, and builds its nest in the crevices of rocks, on the banks of lakes and rivers.” “How does it catch the fish?” asked Frank. “It has, like most of the other Birds of the Eagle tribe,” said Uncle Thomas, “been endowed with remarkably keen power of vision, and as it sails over the waters it can, even at a considerable height in the air, see fish swimming near the surface, and, dropping down upon them with the swiftness of an arrow, it plunges into the water, and seldom emerges without securing them in its powerful talons. “Though the species is a native of Britain,” continued Uncle Thomas, “it is in America where it is seen to most advantage, as its habits can be more easily watched from the vast extent of the broad waters by which some of the majestic rivers are distinguished. It has accordingly attracted the particular notice of two of the most eminent American naturalists. Here is Wilson’s account of its mode of fishing, and the manner in which it seizes its prey.” Uncle Thomas then took down from a shelf a volume of Wilson’s “American Ornithology,” and turning to the account of the Fish-Hawk, which he explained was the name by which the bird was known in America, “and though” said he, “as I have already told you, it is smaller than the Golden Eagle, yet its general character is the same; and its size and strength entitle it to the more high-sounding name.” He then pointed out the passage which he wished Harry to read, which was as follows:—