he female--was seen to leave off hunting, and return to
the nest. There she sat only for a few seconds, when, to the
astonishment of the boys, she began to strike her wings against the
young ones, as if she was endeavouring to force them from the nest.
This was just what she designed doing. Perhaps her late unsuccessful
attempt to get them a fish had led her to a train of reflections, and
sharpened her determination to make them shift for themselves. However
that may be, in a few moments she succeeded in driving them up to the
edge, and then, by half pushing, and half beating them with her wings,
one after the other--two of them there were--was seen to take wing, and
soar away out over the lake.

At this moment, the male shot down upon the water, and then rose again
into the air, bearing a fish, head-foremost, in his talons. He flew
directly towards one of the young, and meeting it as it hovered in the
air, turned suddenly over, and held out the fish to it. The latter
clutched it with as much ease as if it had been accustomed to the thing
for years, and then turning away, carried the fish to a neighbouring
tree, and commenced devouring it. The action had been perceived by the
other youngster, who followed after, and alighted upon the same branch,
with the intention of sharing in the meal. In a few minutes, the best
part of the fish was eaten up, and both, rising from the branch, flew
back to their nest. There they were met by the parents, and welcomed
with a loud squeaking, that was intended, no doubt, to congratulate them
upon the success of their first "fly."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

THE OSPREY AND HIS TYRANT.

After remaining for some time on the nest along with the others, the old
male again resolved to "go a-fishing," and with this intent he shot out
from the tree, and commenced wheeling above the water. The boys, having
nothing better to engage them, sat watching his motions, while they
freely conversed about his habits and other points in his natural
history. Lucien informed them that the osprey is a bird common to both
Continents, and that it is often seen upon the shores of the
Mediterranean, pursuing the finny tribes there, just as it does in
America. In some parts of Italy it is called the "leaden eagle,"
because its sudden heavy plunge upon the water is fancied to resemble
the falling of a piece of lead.

While they were discoursing, the osprey was seen to dip once or twice
towards the su