338 FISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
attacked. I came down quickly. There were in t e nest three young 
ones, about the size of Pullets, which though full feathered, were unable 
to fly. On Friday morning, I went again to the nest to get a young one, 
which I thought J could nurse to a considerable growth, sufficient to 
answer your purpose, if I should fail to procure an old one, which 
was represented to me as almost impossible, on account of his shy- 
ness, and the danger from his dreadful claws. On taking a young 
one, I intended to lay a couple of snares in the nest, for which purpose 
I had a strong cord in my pocket. The old birds were on the tree 
when Captain H. and I approached it. As a defence, profiting by the 
experience of yesterday, . took a walking stick with me. When I 
was about half up the tree, the bird I send you struck at me re- 
peatedly with violence ; he flew round, in a small circle, darting at me 
at every circuit, and I striking at him. Observing that he always 
described a circle in the air, before he came at me, I kept a hawh’s 
eye upon him, and the moment he passed me, I availed myself of the 
opportunity to ascend. When immediately under the nest, I hesitated 
at the formidable opposition I met, as his rage appeared to increase 
with my presumption in invading his premises. But I mounted to the 
nest. At that moment he darted directly at me with all his force, 
whizzing through the air, his choler apparently redoubled. For- 
tunately for me, I struck him on the extreme joint of the right wing 
with my stick, which brought him to the ground. During this contest, 
the female was flying round and round at a respectful distance. 
Captain H. held him till I tied my handkerchief about his legs: the 
captain felt the effect of his claws. I brought away a young one to 
keep the old one ina good humor. I put them in a very large coop ; 
the young one ate some fish, when broken and put into its throat; but 
the old one would not eat for two days. He continued sullen and 
obstinate, hardly changing his position. He walks about now and is 
approached without danger. He takes very little notice of the young 
one. A Joseph Smith, working in the field where this nest is, had the 
curiosity to go up and look at the eggs: the bird clawed his face in 
a shocking manner; his eye had a narrow escape. I am told that it 
has never been considered dangerous to approach a Hawk’s nest. If 
this be so, this bird’s character is peculiar ; his affection for his young, 
and his valiant opposition to an invasion of his nest, entitle him to 
conspicuous notice. He is the prince of Fish Hawks; his character 
and his portrait seem worthy of being handed to the historic muse. 
A Hawk more worthy of the honor which awaits him could not have 
been found. I hope no accident will happen to him, and that he 
may fully answer your purpose. — Yours, 
; “Tuomas Smrra.” 
is This morning the female was flying to and fro, making a mournful 
noise. 
The young of the Fish Hawk are remarkable for remaining long in 
the nest before they attempt to fly. Mr. Smith’s letter is dated June 
30th, at which time, he observes, they were as large as Pullets, and full 
feathered. Seventeen days after, I myself ascended to this same 
Hawk’s nest, where I found the two remaining young ones seemingly 
full grown. They made no attempts to fly, though they both placed 
