186 General Notes. 



for me, coming in a straight line for some distance witli the same great 

 rapidity as before. This time I struck at him with my cane, but did not 

 succeed in hitting him on account of the suddenness of the dive, although 

 he came within reach. This method of attack was repeated for nearly 

 a dozen times, as I kept advancing in a direct line. After the third or 

 fourth time he did not come nearer to me than twelve or fifteen feet, 

 although he would dive as before. I had no thought of there being a nest 

 in the vicinity ; but at last I almost stumbled upon one which was built in 

 the ordinary manner upon the ground, and contained four young Hawks. 

 After I reached the nest, the male flew to a distance and approached no 

 more, but, together with the female, which had remained far off during the 

 whole time, flew around in circles, and uttered a cry at intervals. I took 

 one of the young Hawks, and went away. On the next afternoon I re- 

 turned with a gun, expecting that the bird would dive as before if I walked 

 across the open space, and that I might thus obtain a shot. But the Hawk 

 did not repeat the mode of attack, not coming within range. I also at- 

 tempted the same on the third day, without success, both male and female 

 circling at a great height. 



An interesting question here arises as to the cause of the Hawk's change 

 of manner. Did he perceive a purpose, on the second and third occasions, 

 in my attempts to beguile him within range ? or had he learned from the 

 first day's experience that his efforts to drive me from the nest would 

 prove unavailing? The latter seems probable to me. — Leslie A. Lee, 

 Brunswick, Me. 



Note on the Nesting of the Fish-Hawk in Maine. — I found the 

 nest of a Fish-Hawk (Pandion haliailtus) some years ago on the point of a 

 rock which at high tide was separated from the main ledge and projected 

 but a few feet above the water. It was composed entirely of kelp and 

 sea-weed. A young one was sitting on the edge of the nest, but was able 

 to fly. The next year I found one on a high island, destitute of trees, 

 built on the ground between three small stumps. This contained two 

 two large young ones, which the old birds were feeding. Two years ago 

 I saw a pair building a nest on the top of a tall derrick, to which were 

 attached four chains by which it was supported ; these chains helped to 

 sustain the nest. 



Where the trees have been cut away or otherwise destroyed along the 

 coast, I think it is becoming quite common for the Fish-Hawks to nest on 

 the ground. I have noticed that their nests are also becoming more com- 

 mon around our inland lakes. Last fall I saw six nests on Machias Lake 

 where two years ago there was none. — Manly Hardy, Brewer, Me. 



Wilson's Plover {^gialith unlsonia) on Long Island. — On page 

 72, Vol. I, of this Bulletin, Mr. H. A. Purdie, in a criticism on Dr. 

 Brewer's " Catalogue of Birds of New England," etc., says : " But does not 

 previous record show that .... jEgialitis wilsonius .... can at least be 



