OF NEW ENGLAND. 875 
like those of a heron, which are relieved by sailing. When 
‘hunting, he more often moves in circles, and frequently at a 
considerable height. He often deceives some eager spectator 
by diving, as if to make a plunge, but he suddenly resumes 
his course, and continues to sail quietly. Finally he becomes 
absorbed in gazing at the movements of his prey; then, hov- 
ering for a moment, plunges head-long, and, disappearing be- 
neath the surface, dashes up the foam. Sometimes he seizes 
so large a prize that a desperate struggles ensues, in which 
now the fish and then the bird appears out of his element, and 
it is said that he occasionally loses his life through being im- 
prudent or too ambitious. Generally, however, he at once 
rises, and with his prey in his talons, flies to the shore, where, 
if not molested by robbers, he feeds in some tree upon his well 
earned meal. He is either no glutton, or has an insatiable 
appetite, for he is seldom or never seen gorged, but, when not 
eating, or necessarily at rest, he continues his active search, 
I do not know what are the largest fish that he catches, but I 
have been assured that one, which a bird dropped upon being 
frightened, weighed fully six pounds. The Fish Hawks are 
very spirited, and have been known to wound seriously in- 
truders upon their nests, which, by the way, they are said by 
Wilson to repair in autumn to withstand the winter. 
(d). Their notes are various, being sometimes piercing 
screams, but at other times a succession of agreeable whistles. 
§ 28. The American vultures (catHartipz) have the 
head chiefly naked, and the hind-toe not on a level with the 
others, which are slightly webbed. Two southern species, the 
Turkey ‘‘ Buzzard”? (Cathartes aura) and the Carrion ‘ Crow” 
(C. atratus), have accidentally occurred in Massachusetts once 
or twice. The former is very dark; “head red; feet flesh- 
colored; bill white. * * * * ; tail rounded. Length about 
23 feet; extent 6; wing 2; tail 1. U.S., from Atlantic to 
7 See, for authority, ‘‘ The Naturalists’ meee of Mr. Maynard, p. 137, 160th 
species, 
