192 Birds of Oregon and Washhigton 



while, the tree-top was dying ; and after a few 

 years the winter winds would throw it, with its 

 enormous load, to the ground. A cart would 

 hardly hold all the material of the several years' 

 accumulation. 



The name Fish-Hawk indicates the habits of 

 the bird. It flies over the water, and, seeing 

 the fish near the surface, drops suddenly with 

 great speed, and fastens its talons into its finny 

 prey — which is devoured at leisure from some 

 tree, or fed to offspring. The talons, once 

 fastened in the fish, cannot always be with- 

 drawn. It is reported that sometimes the bird 

 misjudges the size of its quarry, and, not being 

 able to release itself, is drawn under the sur- 

 face and is drowned. I have often seen the 

 Hawk struggle for some time before rising from 

 the water. 



The bird is a fine and noble creature in bear- 

 ing, either at rest or on the wing. With its 

 white head and neck it suggests the Bald 

 Eagle, and is sometimes mistaken for it by the 

 novice. The bird is harmless and adds beauty 

 to our inlets, bays and lakes, and should be 

 carefully guarded. 



