THE FISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. 69 



and Fish Hawks come to participate in the spoil. Except in such places, 

 and on such occasions, I have not observed the Fish Hawk to eat of any- 

 other prey than that which it had procured by plunging headlong into the 

 water after it. 



I have frequently heard it asserted that the Fish Hawk is sometimes drawn 

 under the water and drowned, when it has attempted to seize a fish which is 

 too strong for it, and that some of these birds have been found sticking by 

 their talons to the back of Sturgeons and other large fishes. But, as nothing 

 of this kind ever came under my observation, I am unable to corroborate 

 these reports. The roosting place of this bird is generally on the top 

 branches of the tree on which its nest is placed, or of one close to it. 



Fish Hawks are very plentiful on the coast of New Jersey, near Great 

 Egg Harbour, where I have seen upwards of fifty of their nests in the course 

 of a day's walk, and where I have shot several in the course of a morning. 

 When wounded, they defend themselves in the manner usually exhibited by 

 Hawks, erecting the feathers of the head, and trying to strike with their 

 powerful talons and bill, whilst they remain prostrate on their back. 



The largest fish which I have seen this bird take out of the water, was a 

 Weak-Fish, such as is represented in the plate, but sufficiently large to weigh 

 more than five pounds. The bird carried it into the air with difficulty, and 

 dropped it, on hearing the report of a shot fired at it. 



Fish Hawk, Fako Haliaetus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. v. p. 13. 



Falco Haliaetus, Bonap. Syn., p. 26. 



Fish Hawk or Osprey, Fako Haliaetus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 415; vol. v. p. 362. 



Bill brownish-black, blue at the base and margin; cere light blue. Iris 

 yellow. Feet pale greyish-blue, tinged with brown; claws black. The 

 general colour of the upper parts is dusky brown, the tail barred with pale 

 brown. The upper part of the head and neck white, the middle part of the 

 crown dark brown. A broad band of the latter colour from the bill down 

 the side of the neck on each side. Under parts of the neck brownish-white, 

 streaked with dark brown. Under parts generally white. Anterior tarsal 

 feathers tinged with brown. 



Length 23 inches; extent of wings 54; bill along the back 2; tarsus 2f, 

 middle toe 3. 



Vol. I. 11 



