FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 



17 



Gardiner informs me, that they have even been known to fix their 

 claws in a negroes head who was attempting to climb to their nest; 

 and I had lately a proof of their daring spirit in this way, through 

 the kindness of a friend, resident for a few weeks at Great Egg- 

 Harbour. I had requested of him the favor to transmit me, if pos- 

 sible, a live Fish-Hawk, for the purpose of making a drawing of it^ 

 which commission he very faithfully executed ; and I think I can- 

 not better illustrate this part of the bird's character than by quoting 

 his letter at large. 



Beasley^s, Great Egg-Harbour, June SOth, 1811. 



" Sir, 



" Mr. Beasley and I went to reconnoitre a Fish-Hawk's nest 

 on Thursday afternoon. When I was at the nest I was struck with 

 so great violence, on the crown of the hat, that I thought a hole 

 was made in it. I had ascended fearlessly, and never dreamt of 

 being attacked. I came down quickly. There were in the nest 

 three young ones about the size of pullets, which, though full fea- 

 thered, were unable to fly. On Friday morning I went again to 

 the nest to get a young one, which I thought I could nurse to a 

 considerable growth, sufficient to answer your purpose, if I should 

 fail to procure an old one, which was represented to me as almost 

 impossible, on account of his shyness, and the danger from his 

 dreadful claws. On taking a young one I intended to lay a couple 

 of snares in the nest, for which purpose I had a strong cord in my 

 pocket. The old birds were on the tree when captain H. and I ap- 

 proached it. As a defence, profiting by the experience of yester- 

 day, I took a walking stick with me. When I was about half up 

 the tree, the bird I send you struck at me repeatedly with violence ; 

 he flew round, in a small circle, darting at me at every circuit, and 

 I striking at him. Observing that he always described a circle in 

 the air, before he came at me, I kept a hawFs eye upon him, and 

 the moment he passed me, I availed myself of the opportunity to 



VOL. V. E 



