CHAPTER XITHE OSPREY[119]
[Theauthor 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 theShikraSparrow-hawk (Pīg͟hū), and theSangak, the iris is sometimes dark and sometimes yellow.[120]He adds:]—
I once took one alive with achark͟hand 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 careThe sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”
“Thro’ the mercy of God and His tender careThe sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”
“Thro’ the mercy of God and His tender careThe sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”
“Thro’ the mercy of God and His tender care
The sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”
FOOTNOTES:[119]DamirdizināqT. Another name isdamir-qaynāg͟hT., fromdamirT. “iron” andqaynāg͟hT. “claws” (nāk͟hūnP.). The author does not include this amongst theʿUqābor 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.
[119]DamirdizināqT. Another name isdamir-qaynāg͟hT., fromdamirT. “iron” andqaynāg͟hT. “claws” (nāk͟hūnP.). The author does not include this amongst theʿUqābor Eagles. According to F. O. Morris, the osprey in olden times was occasionally trained for falconry.
[119]DamirdizināqT. Another name isdamir-qaynāg͟hT., fromdamirT. “iron” andqaynāg͟hT. “claws” (nāk͟hūnP.). The author does not include this amongst theʿUqābor 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.
[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.