FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 69 



sea-weed, pieces of wet turf in large quantities, mullein-stalks, 

 and lined with dry sea-grass; the whole forming a mass very 

 observable at half a mile's distance, and large enough to fill a 

 cart, and form no inconsiderable load for a horse. These ma- 

 terials are so well put together, as often to adhere in large frag- 

 ments after being blown down by the wind. My learned and 

 obliging correspondent of New York, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, 

 observes, that "A sort of superstition is entertained in regard 

 to the Fish-Hawk. It has been considered a fortunate incident 

 to have a nest, and a pair of these birds, on one's farm. They 

 have therefore been generally respected; and neither the axe 

 nor the gun has been lifted against them. Their nest continues 

 from year to year. The same couple, or another as the case 

 may be, occupies it season after season. Repairs are duly made, 

 or when demolished by storms it is industriously rebuilt. 

 There was one of these nests, formerly, upon the leafless sum- 

 mit of a venerable chesnut-tree on our farm, directly in front 

 of the house, at the distance of less than half a mile. The 

 withered trunk and boughs, surmounted by the coarse wrought 

 and capacious nest, was a more picturesque object than an obe- 

 lisk. And the flights of the Hawks as they went forth to hunt 

 returned with their game exercised themselves in wheeling 

 round and round and circling about it, were amusing to the be- 

 holder almost from morning to night. The family of these 

 Hawks, old and young, was killed by the Hessian Jagers. A 

 succeeding pair took possession of the nest; but in the course 

 of time, the prongs of the trunk so rotted away, that the nest 

 could no longer be supported. The Hawks have been obliged 

 to seek new quarters. We have lost this part of our prospect; 

 and our trees have not afforded a convenient site for one of their 

 habitations since." 



About the first of May the female Fish-Hawk begins to lay 

 her eggs, which are commonly three in number, sometimes 

 only two, and rarely four. They are somewhat larger than 

 those of the common hen, and nearly of the same shape. The 

 ground colour varies, in different eggs, from a reddish cream, 



