FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 53 



curiosity to go up to look at the eggs ; the bird clawed his face in a 

 shocking manner ; his eye had a narrow escape. I am told that it has 

 never been considered dangerous to approach a Hawk's nest. If this be 

 so, this bird's character is peculiar ; his affection for his young, and his 

 valiant opposition to an invasion of his nest, entitle him to conspicuous 

 notice. He is the Prince of Fish-Hawks ; his character and his por- 

 trait seem worthy of being handed to the historic muse. A Hawk more 

 worthy of the honor which awaits him could not have been found. I 

 hope no accident will happen to him, and that he may fully answer your 

 purpose. " Yours, 



" Thomas Smith. 

 " This morning the female was flying to and fro, making a mournful 

 noise." 



The young of the Fish-Hawk are remarkable for remaining long in 

 the nest before they attempt to fly. Mr. Smith's letter is dated June 

 30th, at which time, he observes, they were as large as pullets, and full 

 feathered. Seventeen days after, I myself ascended to this same Hawk's 

 nest, where I found the two remaining young ones seeming full grown. 

 They made no attempts to fly, though they both placed themselves in a 

 stern posture of defence, as I examined them at my leisure. The female 

 had procured a second helpmate ; but he did not seem to inherit the 

 spirit of his predecessor, for like a true step-father, he left the nest at 

 my approach, and sailed about at a safe distance with his mate, who 

 showed great anxiety and distress during the whole of my visit. It is 

 universally asserted by the people of the neighborhood where these 

 birds breed, that the young remain so long before they fly, that the pa- 

 rents are obliged at last to compel them to shift for themselves, beating 

 them with their wings, and driving them from the nest. But that they 

 continue to assist them even after this, I know to be a fact from my 

 own observation, as I have seen the young bird meet its parent in the 

 air, and receive from him the fish he cai^ied in his claws. 



The flight of the Fish-Hawk, his manoeuvres while in search of fish, 

 and his manner of seizing liis prey, are deserving of particular notice. 

 In leaving the nest he usually flies direct till he comes to the sea, then 

 sails around in easy curving lines, turning sometimes in the air as on a 

 pivot, apparently without the least exertion, rarely moving the wings, 

 his legs extended in a straight line behind, and his remarkable length 

 and curvature or bend of wing, distinguishing him from all other Hawks. 

 The height at which he thus elegantly glides is various, from one hun- 

 dred to one hundred and fifty, and two hundred feet, sometimes much 

 higher, all the while calmly reconnoitring the face of the deep below. 

 Suddenly he is seen to check his course, as if struck by a particular 

 object, which he seems to survey for a few moments with such steadiness 



