FISII-IIAWK, OR OS PREY. 55 



up our large rivers, and their head waters. It may be said to line the 

 seacoast from Georgia to Canada. In some parts I have counted, at one 

 view, more than twenty of their nests within half a mile. Mr. Gardi- 

 ner informs me, that on the small island on which he resides, there are 

 at least " three hundred nests of Fish-Hawks that have young, which, 

 on an average, consume probably not less than six hundred fish daily." 

 Before they depart in the autumn they regularly repair their nests, carry- 

 ing up sticks, sods, &c., fortifying them against the violence of the winter 

 storms, which, from this circumstance, they would seem to foresee and 

 expect. But, notwithstanding all their precautions, they frequently, 

 on their return in spring, find them lying in ruins around the roots of 

 the tree ; and sometimes the tree itself has shared the same fate. When 

 a number of Hawks, to the amount of twenty or upwards, collect to- 

 gether on one tree, making a loud squealing noise, there is generally a 

 nest built soon after on the same tree. Probably this congressional 

 assembly were settling the right of the new pair to the premises ; or it 

 might be a kind of wedding, or joyous festive meeting on the occasion. 

 They are naturally of a mild and peaceable disposition, living together 

 in great peace and harmony ; for though with them, as in the best regu- 

 lated communities, instances of attack and robbery occur among them- 

 selves, yet these instances are extremely rare. Mr. Gardiner observes 

 that they are sometimes seen high in the air, sailing and cutting strange 

 gambols, with loud vociferations, darting down several hundred feet 

 perpendicular, frequently with part of a fish in one claw, which they 

 seem proud of, and to claim high hook, as the fishermen call him who 

 takes the greatest number. On these occasions they serve as a barom- 

 eter to foretell the changes of the atmostphere; for when the Fish- 

 Hawks are seen thus, sailing high in air, in circles, it is universally be- 

 lieved to prognosticate a change of weather, often a thunder storm, in a 

 few hours. On the faith of the certainty of these signs, the experienced 

 coaster wisely prepares for the expected storm, and is rarely mistaken. 



There is one singular trait in the character of this bird, which will be 

 mentioned in treating of the Purple Grakle, and which I have had many 

 opportunities of witnessing. The Grakles, or Crow Blackbirds, are 

 permitted by the Fish-Hawk to build their nests among the interstices 

 of the sticks of which his own is constructed. Several pair of Grakles 

 taking up their abode there, like humble vassals around the castle of 

 their chief, laying, hatching their young, and living together in mutual 

 harmony. I have found no less than four of these nests clustered around 

 the sides of the former, and a fifth fixed on the nearest branch of the ad- 

 joining tree ; as if the proprietor of this last, unable to find an unoccu- 

 pied corner on the premises, had been anxious to share as much aa 

 possible the company and protection of this generous bird. 



The Fish-Hawk is twenty-two inches in length, and five feet three 



