FISH HA WK, OR OSPRE Y. m 



When immediately under the nest, I hesitated at the formid- 

 able 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. Fortunately 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 in a good humour. 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 con- 

 tinued 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 honour 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, 



" Thomas Smith." 

 " 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 



