82 BIRDS OF PREY. 



Though social, they are sometimes seen to combat in 

 the air, instigated probably more by jealousy than a love 

 for rapine, as their food is always obtained from an un- 

 failing source. 



The ancients, particularly Aristotle, pretended that 

 the Ospreys taught their young to gaze at the sun, and 

 that those who were unable to do so were destroyed. 

 Linnseus even believed, on ancient authority, that one 

 of the feet of this bird had all the toes divided while the 

 other was partly webbed, so that it could swim with one 

 foot, and grasp a fish in the other. Aristotle likewise 

 remarked, that the young of the White-tailed Eagle were 

 driven from the nest before they could feed themselves, 

 and that they would perish but for the aid and education 

 which they received from the Osprey.* This opinion 

 arose, no doubt, from the fact, that that species, no less 

 than the Bald Eagle, is in the habit of plundering the 

 Fish-Hawk for its sustenance. 



The Fish-Hawk, according to the convenience of the 

 site where it takes up its abode, forms its nest upon rocks, 

 more rarely upon the ground among reeds, or amidst ruin- 

 ed and deserted buildings, or on trees ; the last situa- 

 tion, however, appears to be universally preferred in the 

 United States. It is commonly situated at a considera- 

 ble elevation, and, like the eyry of the Eagle, continues 

 to be occupied as long as the tree exists. The materi- 

 als, however, of which the nest is composed are often of 

 such a nature, and in such quantity, as to hasten the de- 

 cay of its support. The following, according to Wilson, 

 is the ordinary composition of this rude but substantial 

 fabric. The external floor is made of large sticks, 

 from J an inch to 1^ inches in diameter, and 2 or 3 



* Buffon considers the bird here alluded to as the Sea Eagle, which is, however, 

 only the young of the White-tailed species. 



