GARDINER'S ISLAND 



53 



The young are reared on the restricted diet of their 

 parents and, as far as my observations go, the fish is cap- 

 tured and brought to the nest by the male, often after he has 

 satisfied his own appetite by eating part of it. Incidentally 

 it may be remarked that Gardiner's Island birds secure 

 most of their fish from the numerous fish traps which, dur- 

 ing the summer, are set about the island. They sit patiently 

 on one of the poles to which the net is attached, until oppor- 



Feeding the Young 



tunity offers, when they jump down to the water for their 

 prey ; a far less interesting method of feeding than the 

 thrilling plunge from the air. 



The young are fed at long intervals, possibly not more 

 than twice during the day. On each occasion, however, the 

 feeding process continues for some time. Tearing a small 

 piece from the fish, the female usually turning her head on 

 one side, offers it to her young, who quietly, one at a time, 

 pick it from her bill. 



Young Fish Hawks are models in behavior. Their obe 

 dience is instant and enduring. At the complaining alarm 



