OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. '277 



Hawk is too familiar with its powerful muscularity and 

 courageous disposition to attempt a single attack. When 

 an Osprey is being pursued by this king of the forest and 

 hunting-grounds, its loud vociferous cries of distress, re- 

 sounding far and near, evoke an army of defenders, who 



O *- 



come with all possible speed, to wreak vengeance upon 

 the great arch-enemy of their pleasures and happiness. 

 The Bald-headed Eagle is induced to make these attacks 

 for the purpose of compelling the Osprey to drop its prey, 

 or to disgorge. When successful, it pounces down and seizes 

 the coveted bit before it has reached the water or ground. 



The' flight of the Fish Hawk is powerful, never very 

 high, nor much protracted. While skimming over the 

 surface of water, even at a moderate elevation, its quick 

 eye soon descries its quarry, and, in an instant, it pounces 

 down with tremendous force, below the water-level, often to 

 a great distance, but seldom missing its prey. Arising from 

 its watery bath, it moves oft' to a suitable perch, to digest 

 its meal at leisure. But should the movement attract the 

 keen eve of the Bald Eagle, who is generally waiting in 

 some secret covert, or sailing so high in the air as to be al- 

 most invisible, the Osprey swallows its victim if small, or en- 

 deavors to bear it away in its talons to a position oft shelter 

 and safety ; but rather than endure too near an approach of its 

 more powerful relative, drops its prey to the great satisfac- 

 tion of the latter. Where a suitable tree, or a commanding 

 stump, presents itself along side of its fishing-grounds, it 

 may be seen perched thereon for hours together, ga/ing 

 into the liquid depths below for the finny tribes that sport 

 therein, ever and anon swooping down with amazing ve- 

 locity, and bearing in its resistless talons the squirming 

 victim. In shallow places, it regulates its modes of capture 

 in conformity with their character, gliding over their sur- 

 faces, and clutching at its victims as they come within 

 sight. 



The food of this species consists mainly of fish, although 



