OSPREY. 131 



least use as food. The fishermen, who are the ones most interested, 

 welcome the appearance of this bird in spring, as it indicates the 

 advance of schools of fish and, with few exceptions, they object to its 

 being molested or killed. Fish Hawks are encouraged to nest in the 

 vicinity of the house, not only for the picturesque appearance of the 

 nest and birds, but also because it is believed that they keep off 

 other Hawks which might do damage to the poultry. 



The nest is occupied for years and, as new material is added each 

 season, it soon becomes a bulky structure, sometimes measuring five feet 

 in diameter. It is composed of large sticks, brush, rubbish of various 

 kinds, including weed or cornstalks, and lined with soft material, such 

 as seaweed, cedar bark, corn leaves, etc. ; in exceptional cases it is com- 

 posed almost wholly of kelp or other seaweeds. The nest is placed in 

 trees, on telegraph poles, projections from cliffs, deserted buildings, or 

 on the ground among the reeds or some eminence of the open sea 

 beach. A very large proportion of the nests are situated in trees, 

 usually on the top of the tallest in the neighborhood, and in plain sight 

 from the surrounding country. The tree chosen is in most cases dead 

 at the top; it is said that if a live one be selected, after a few years the 

 portion near the nest dies from contact with the large amount of rub- 

 bish or the oily and saline deposits on it. In a few cases Fish Hawks 

 have been reported to repair their nests before leaving for the south in 

 the autumn. 



The eggs, which are commonly two or three in number, are deposited 

 at widely different dates in the northern and southern portions of its 

 range. In Florida the full complement of eggs is deposited in January, 

 in New Jersey and Maryland in May, and in Labrador and the North 

 during the latter part of June. 



The young are slow-growing and remain in the nest a long time after 

 they are fully fledged before attempting to fly, and it is stated that the 

 parents sometimes have to drive them from the nest. The male assists 

 in incubation and also feeds his mate during this period. 



The Fish Hawk is a gentle bird and never molests other species, 

 even allowing the grackles and night-herons to build their nests and 

 rear young in the interstices of its own nest. Unlike the Eagles it is a 

 brave bird, defending its home against intruders and even attacking 

 man when he molests its eggs or young. 



The Fish Hawk is very much attached to particular trees to which 

 it resorts to devour the fish captured; oftentimes these may be situated 

 several miles from the body of water furnishing the food supply. The 

 flight, like that of many of the heavier birds of prey, is ordinarily slow 

 and labored, but when soaring or flying high in the air it is not sur- 

 passed by the Eagles. 



