128 The Birds of Albany County 



and the pronounced curve of the great wings being the 

 distinguishing characteristics. The Fish Hawk is a wonderful 

 flier; in fact, except when arising from the water after a dive 

 for its prey, it seems to exert no wing effort whatever in its 

 slow and graceful aerial movements. With apparently set 

 pinions it will float, high in the calm summer air, for a long 

 period. Then, having discovered a tempting fish far below, 

 it will drop like a stone, striking the water with a loud splash. 

 If the fish is captured the great bird will bear it away to some 

 nearby height and devour it. Ospreys are thoroughly 

 protected by law throughout the year, and well they may be, 

 for they work no injury to anyone and are certainly picturesque 

 figures along watercourses. It is only an ignorant person 

 who will shoot an Osprey or destroy its nest. Numerous 

 stories are told of the proneness of the Fish Hawk to return 

 year after year to the same loved eyrie and rear its young. 

 The nest is a bulky affair placed in a tall tree or on a rocky 

 ledge, and the eggs are beautifully mottled with varying shades 

 of dark brown and purple on a buff or whitish ground. 



Subfamily Accipitrinas 



American Sparrow Hawk. — Falco sparverius. 9.50 



Uncommon Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Head and wing-coverts bluish-slaty; reddish 

 spot on crown; one band on tail; spotted, light under 

 parts; smallest hawk seen here. 



This beautiful little Falcon I have not found numerous 

 in Albany County, but westward in the Mohawk Valley, 



