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larger end with reddish brown on a white ground. In some 
specimens, the secondary colour is of a paler yellowish red.” 
Mr. Hewitson gives us the following particulars: ‘Sir Wil- 
liam Jardine says, that a pair or two may be found about most 
of the Highland Lochs, where they build on the ruined towers, 
so common on the edges, or insulated rocks, of these wild waters. 
The nest is an immense fabric of rotten sticks, and is generally 
placed, if such exists, on the top of the chimney, and if this be 
wanting, on the highest summit of the building. And aged 
tree may sometimes be chosen, but ruins are always preferred, 
ifnear. Mr. Wolley remarks, that there is something in the 
general appearance of the nest, which reminds one of the nests 
of the Wood Ants; it is usually in the form of a cone cut off 
at the top; the sticks project very slightly beyond the sides, 
and are built up with turf and other compact materials; the 
summit is of moss, very flat and even, and the cavity occupies 
a comparatively small part of it. Wilson says that, in America, 
the nest of the Fish Hawk is usually built on the top of a dead 
or decaying tree, sometimes not more than fifteen, often upwards 
of fifty feet from the ground. I ascended to several of these 
nests that had been built in from year to year, and found them 
constructed as follows ;—externally large sticks, from half an 
inch to an inch and a half in diameter, and two or three in 
length, piled to the height of four or five feet, and from two to 
three feet in breadth, these were intermixed with corn-stalks, 
seaweed, pieces of wet turf in large quantities, and lined with 
dry sea-grass, the whole forming a mass observable at half a 
mile’s distance, and large enough to fill a cart: and formed no 
inconsiderable load for a horse. These materials are so well 
put together, as often to adhere in large fragments after being 
blown down by the wind. During the time the female is sit- 
ting, the male frequently supplies her with fish, though she 
occasionally takes a short circuit to the sea herself, but quickly 
returns again.” 
Mr. Hewitson adds: ‘‘ The Osprey, in England as in Ameri- 
ca, lays its eggs in the beginning of May; they are sometimes 
two, almost always three in number. Wilson says, rarely four. 
“They are more oval in form, than those of any of our British 
Fulconide ; they do not usually differ much.’’* 
The egg which Mr. Hewitson figures as typical has a white 
ground, here and there clouded with pale purple, and very 
richly blotched and streaked, most densely towards the large 
end, with deep red, becoming in its intensity almost black. 
His figures measure 2°52 by 1:39; and 2°43 by 1°93. 
