FALCONIDiE — THE HAWKS — FALCONING. 455 



Tlie fish-luiwk is found wherever there is clear water containiug fish, and, 

 uulike the white-headed eagle, works for its li^'ing, occasionally also provid- 

 ing for that dishonest bird. It may be seen about its resorts, especially 

 along the sea-coast, sailing round in circles high in the air, watching for 

 hours until it sees a fish in a suitable position, when plunging perpendicu- 

 larly beneath the water, it seizes its prey in its strong, rough-soled talons, 

 and flies off to some convenient perch to feed. It thus obtains aljundance of 

 food, and can rest for hours, or amuse itself in carrying materials to its nest, 

 which it does at all .seasons, and without apparent reason. I have seen a 

 pair attempt to build on the main-top platform of an old hulk lying in San 

 Diego Bay, and at the time inhabited. Though frequently driven away, and 

 their materials blown off by the wind almost as fast as carried up, they jiev- 

 severed until the keeper of the vessel shot one of tliem. They build either 

 in high trees, or on cliffs and islands, the nest itself being rather small and 

 compact, but sun-ounded liy a great quantity of sticks, roots, bones, and 

 even wire, of whicli I found a piece several yards long carried up by them 

 from an old fence. I climljed to this nest on the 2Uth of June, supposing, 

 from the apparent solicitude of the old birds, that there might be a second 

 brood of eggs in it, but did not find any. Still, they may sometimes raise 

 more than one brood in a year. At that time the young birds about Cata- 

 lina Island appeared to be fully fledged.' Of the eggs I must quote Nuttall's 

 account, who says that they are from two to four, a little larger than hen's 

 eggs, and vary from reddish or yellowish cream-color to nearly white, 

 marked with large blotches and points of reddish-brown. Many nests ,are 

 often built near together, and small birds sometimes build in their inter- 

 stices. The fish-hawk is timid, and will allow even the raven to rob it. 

 ]\Iany interesting anecdotes and details of habits are given by the authors 

 above cpioted, to mIihui 1 must refer the reader for further information. 



This is one of the many species of Eaptores which, at one time suj)posed 

 distinct from their European congeners, are now considered to be the same. 



Sub-Family FALCONIN.E, The Noble Falcons. 



Chak. Form \ery compact and roljusl ; tail and legs short ; wings long ; 

 bill and feet very strong ; tooth of upper mandible very acute. Size small 

 or moderate. 



These are the swiftest, boldest, and most tj'pical of tlie birds of prey, often 

 killing other liirds and quadrupeds larger than themselves. 



The species here included in the single genus Fairo ha\'e been distriliuted 

 in three genera by some late naturalists, F. cn/innlxirii/s being a Jli/potrior- 

 cJiis, and F. sparvcrius a Tinnuncidus. The distinctions are, however, slight, 

 and, with so few species, inconvenient. 



