FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 71 



had lately a proof of their daring spirit in this way, through 

 the kindness of a friend, resident for a few weeks at Great 

 Egg-harbour. I had requested of him the favour to transmit 

 me, if possible, a live Fish-Hawk, for the purpose of making 

 a drawing of it, which commission he very faithfully executed; 

 and I think I cannot better illustrate this part of the bird's 

 character than by quoting his letter at large. 



" Beasley's, Great Egg-Harbour, June, 30th, 1811. 

 " SIR, 



" Mr. Beasley and I went to reconnoitre a Fish-Hawk's 

 nest on Thursday afternoon. When I was at the nest I was 

 struck with so great violence, on the crown of the hat, that I 

 thought a hole was made in it. I had ascended fearlessly, and 

 never dreamt of being attacked. I came down quickly. There 

 were in the nest three young ones about the size of pullets, 

 which, though full feathered, were unable to fly. On Friday 

 morning I went again to the nest to get a young one, which I 

 thought I could nurse to a considerable growth, sufficient to 

 answer your purpose, if I should fail to procure an old one, 

 which was represented to me as almost impossible, on account 

 of his shyness, and the danger from his dreadful claws. On 

 taking a young one I intended to lay a couple of snares in the 

 nest, for which purpose I had a strong cord in my pocket. The 

 old birds were on the tree when captain H. and I approached 

 it. As a defence, profiting by the experience of yesterday, I 

 took a walking stick with me. When I was about half up the 

 tree, the bird I send you struck at me repeatedly with violence; 

 he flew round in a small circle, darting at me at every circuit, 

 and I striking at him. Observing that he always described 

 a circle in the air, before he came at me, I kept a hawk's eye 

 upon him, and the moment he passed me, I availed myself of 

 the opportunity to ascend. When immediately under the nest, 

 I hesitated at the formidable opposition I met, as his rage ap- 

 peared to increase with my presumption in invading his prem- 

 ises. But I mounted to the nest. At that moment he darted di- 

 rectly at me with all his force, whizzing through the air; his 



