CHAPTER XI. The Osprey[119]

THE OSPREY

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:

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.

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.