BIRDS OF PREY 165 



and it is small wonder he uses it year after year. As 

 in the building of a home, so in the choice of a mate, 

 the Osprey acts once for all ; the pair remain together 

 throughout the years, together making the long trip 

 south, as do the loons. When the leaves on the trees 

 are the size of a mouse's ear, the Fish Hawk lays her 

 three characteristic eggs and begins to brood. In a 

 little more than two weeks downy nestlings stretch up 

 their pretty heads for food, and both parents are kept 

 busy supplying the demand. Small fish are carried con- 

 stantly to the nest, the heads, bones, and fins being 

 thrown to the ground and the soft parts given to the 

 young. As the young emerge from the downy state to 

 the dignity of feathers, they begin to sit up cautiously on 

 the edge of the nest and call with short, sharp, impatient 

 whistles for their food. Tliis the parent answers with 

 a clear, cheery whistle, as he rises from the water, and 

 when he nears the nest the calls of both grow very quick 

 and excited. It is a charming bit of home life, well 

 worth some discomfort to watch. 



When the young are fully feathered and strong, — at 

 about four weeks old, — their training in fishing begins. 

 They are taken to the water and, by repeated trials, learn 

 to dive and strike their fish. Sometimes it is learned the 

 first day, and sometimes several lessons must be given, 

 but the end is the same, — the nestling is forced to catch 

 his own dinner, or go hungry. 



Among the twigs of the large nest small birds fre- 

 quently make their home unmolested. I have known 

 wrens to do this, and there are other well-authenticated 



