OSSIFRAGA, a kind of Eagle, whose Flesh is forbid in Lev. xi. 13. under the Name of Gryphon. The Ossifraga, or Ospray1, is thus called, because it breaks the Bones of Animals, in order to come to the Marrow. ‘Tis said to dig up Bodies in Church-yards, or Burying-places2, to eat what it finds in the Bones, which has been the Occasion that the Latins called it Avis bustaria, and the Persians, Ustukhan-khour, the Bone-eater. By the French it is called Orfraye, and by the English, Osprey.
The Arabians and Persians also call it Humai, and say it is the most innocent of all Birds, because it does no Harm to any Animal, and only feeds upon dead Bones.
Aristotle says, that the Ossifraga is the greatest of Eagles, except those of Germany. Its Plumage is of an Ash-colour, approaching towards white. Pliny says, that is produced by the Sea-eagle, which ingenders with all Birds of Prey. She does not only feed her own Young, but those also that any other Eagle has forsaken. Her Sight is but weak, which is contrary to the Nature of other Eagles.
This is the Description that Aldrovand gives us of the Ossifraga. Its Beak is exceeding crooked, and in the Place where it is hooked, it is two Fingers broad, and about an handful long. Its Colour is like brown Horn, drawing towards dark-blue. The opening of its Beak is about a Hands breadth, the Tongue is like that of a Man, and broad at the End, and on the two Sides it has two Hooks made like Fish-hooks. Its Head and Neck are covered with long narrow Feathers, and from its Chin hang down small Hairs like a Beard. The Ground of its Plumage is diversify’d by three Colours, whitish, dark, and ruddy; the great Feathers are of a brown Colour, a little inclining towards Chesnut. The twelve Feathers of its Tail are a little reddish, and spotted with black and white. Its Legs are covered with dark Feathers a little ruddy, so that there remains but a small Part of the Legs uncover’d of about two Fingers breadth. This Part that is uncovered is of a very fine yellow. Its Talons are black and shining. Aldrovand says, this Bird only feeds upon Fish; so that it must be very different from the Ossifraga here mentioned. But indeed, the whole that is said of the Ossifraga, or Bone-eater, seems to be very fabulous.
The Osprey called in Latin, Strix, is of the Bigness of a moderate Duck. Its Head is thick and round, and it is covered before with small fine Feathers, set round in a Circle. It has large Eyes, the Ball large and black, the Iris or Circle between the White and the Apple of the Eye, of a pale yellow, contrary to what is common to others, which generally have it more covered and more glowing; its Beak is crooked, and of the Colour of brown Horn. All the Ground of its Plumage is of a rusty Colour, diversified with brown Spots. Its Legs are hairy down to the Nails of its Pounces, like the Feet of an Hare. Its Talons are very black, and a little crooked; and the Claws of its Feet are divided like those of a Roe-buck.
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