28 



VEUTE13UATA. 



THE OSPRET. 



ous, breeding so near each other that, according to Mr. Gardiner, there were on the small island 

 on which he resided, near to the eastern extremity of Long Island, New York, no less than three 

 hundred nests with voiing. Wilson observed twenty of their nests within half a mile. I have 

 seen them nearly as thick about Rehoboth Bay, in Delaware. Here they live together at least 

 as peaceably as rooks, and so harmless are they considered by other birds, that, according to Wil- 

 son, the crow blackbirds or grakles are sometimes allowed refuge by the ospreys, and construct 

 their nests in the very interstices of their eyry. It would appear sometimes that, as with swal- 

 lows, a general assistance is given in the constructing of a new nest, for, previous to this event, a 

 flock have been seen to assemble in the same tree, squealing, as is their custom when any thing 

 materially agitates them." 



The eggs, from two to four, are laid in May, and are usually of a creamy white, marked with 

 brown spots, and are somewhat larger than those of a common fowl. Wilson says: "On the ap- 

 pearance of the young, which is usually about the last of June, the zeal and watchfulness of the 

 parents are extreme. They stand guard and go off to fish alternately, one parent being always 

 within a short distance of the nest. On the near approach of any person, the hawk utters a 

 plaintive, whistling note, which becomes shriller as she takes to wing and sails around, sometimes 

 making a rapid descent, as if aiming directly for you ; but checking her course, and sweeping 

 past at a short distance over head, her wings making a whizzing in the air. My worthy friend 

 Mr. Gardiner informs me that they have even been known to fix their claws in a negro's head 

 who was attempting to climb to their nest." Many other instances are recorded of the fierceness 

 with which these birds defend their nest and their young. 



Genus HARPAGUS : Harpagus of Vigors. — This includes two species ; the Notched Fai,- 



