AVES— EAGLE. 



439 



This eagle is common in Europe, and is probably the same with the indi- 

 vidual known in the United States, by the name of the 



AMERICAN FISH-HAWK. 



We shall therefore introduce in this place, the description which our natu- 

 ralists have given of the latter bird. 



This is a formidable, vigorous winged, and well known bird, which sub- 

 sists altogether on the finny tribes that swarm in our bays, creeks, and 

 rivers; procuring his prey by his own skill and industry. It is doubtless 

 the most numerous of all its genus within the United States. It penetrates 

 far into the interior of the country, up our large rivers, and their head waters. 

 It may be said to line the seacoast from Georgia to Canada. 



The first appearance of the fish-hawk in spring is v/elcomed by the fisher- 

 men, as the happy signal of the approach of those vast shoals of herring, 

 shad, &c., that enter our rivers in such prodigious multitudes. They see 

 it active and industrious like themselves ; inoffensive to the productions of 

 their farms ; building with confidence, and without the least disposition to 

 concealment, in the middle of their fields, and along their fences ; and 

 returning regularly year after year to their former abode. Their nests are 

 built of large sticks, corn-stalks, sea- weed, pieces of wet turf, and muUen 

 stalks, lined with dry grass ; the whole forming a mass very observable at 

 half a mile's distance, and large enough to fill a cart, and form no incon- 

 siderable a load for a horse. These materials are all put strongly together. 

 During the time the female is sitting, the male frequently supplies her with 

 fish. On the appearance of the young, 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 



