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 nat 
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 iarge 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 welcomed by the fishers 
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 mullen 
stalks, lined with dry grass; the whole forming a mass very observable at 
halfa 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 
approacn of any person, the hawk utters a plaintive whistling note, which 
