322 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Fish Hawk or Os/irey. This formidable, vigorous-winged, and 

 Well known bird, subsists altogether on the finny tribes that swarm 

 in our bays, creeks and rivers ; procuring his prey by his own active 

 skill and industry ; and seeming no farther dependant on the land 

 than as a mere resting place, or, in the usual season, a spot of de- 

 posite for his nest, eggs and young. The Fish Hawk is migratory ; 

 arriving on the coasts of Newyork and Newjersey about the twenty- 

 first of March, and retiring to the south about the twenty-second of 

 September. Its nest is usually built on the top of a dead or decaying 

 tree, sometimes not more than fifteen, often upwards of fitty feet, from 

 the ground. About the first of May the female begins to lay her 

 eggs, which are commonly three in number, sometimes only two, and 

 rarely lour. This species is considered the most numerous of its 

 genus within the United States. There is one singular trait in the 

 character of this bird, which is worthy of record. The Purple Grakles 

 or Crow Blackbirds, are permitted by the Fish Hawk to build their 

 nests among the interstices of the sticks of which his own is con- 

 structed. Several pair of Grakles taking up their abode there, like 

 humble vassals around the castle of their chief, laying, hatching their 

 young, and living together in mutual harmony. We have seen no 

 less than five of these nests so situated, and one or two on an adjoin- 

 ing tree. The Crows and Jays devour the eggs, and sometimes the 

 young, of the Grakles; and all the Hawks, except the generous and 

 noble Fish Hawk, murder, at every opportunity, the birds themselves. 

 Hence these birds, during the important periods of incubation and 

 nutrition, have been directed to seek that protection which they can 

 find no where else; and under the guardianship of the Fish Hawk 

 they are safe from every enemy, except the tyrant Man. How 

 strikingly does this exemplify the superintending care of the God of 

 Nature 1 



Marsh Hawk. This Hawk, and several others, particularly the 

 White-breasted Hawk, F. Leverianus, are common in the winter sea- 

 son, among our meadows and marshes; where they render an essen- 

 tial sei'vice, by destroying multitudes of the Mice, which are so inju- 

 rious to the meadows and their embankments. Our Graziers and 

 Farmers would do well to protect these birds ; for notwithstanding 

 they now and then bear away a vagrant chicken, yet the good they do 

 more than counterbalances their bad deeds. 



Great-footed Hawk This is the celebrated Peregrine Falcon, for- 

 merly so greatly esteemed for its use in Falconry. It is called along 

 our coast the Duck Hawk, from its skill in knocking down the Ducks 

 when on the wing. It flies with astonishing rapidity. 



Snow Owl. This great northern hunter inhabits the coldest and 

 most dreary regions of the northern hemisphere on both continents. 

 He is often seen in the United States during the severity of winter. 

 The usual food of this species is Hares, Grous, Rabbits, Ducks, Mice, 

 and even Carrion. Unlike most of his tribe he hunts by day as well 

 as by twilight. The female measures two feet in length, and five feet 

 two inches in extent. 



Great-horned Owl. This noted and formidable bird is found in 

 almost every quarter of the United States. His favourite residence, 

 however, is in the dark solitudes of deep swamps covered with a 

 growth of gigantic timber ; and here, as soon as evening draws on, 

 and mankind retire to rest, he sends forth such sounds as seem scarce- 

 ly to belong to this world, startling the solitary pilgrim as he slum- 



