18 



FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY 



ascend. When immediately under the nest, I hesitated at the for- 

 midable 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, whiz- 

 zing through the air, his choler apparently redoubled. Fortunate- 

 ly 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 to 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 dan- 

 gerous to approach a Hawk's nest. If this be so, this bird's cha- 

 racter is peculiar; his affection for his young, and his valiant op- 

 position to an invasion of his nest, entitle him to conspicuous no- 

 tice. He is the Prince of Fish-Hawks; his character and his por- 

 trait seem worthy of being handed to the historic muse. A Hawk 

 more worthy of the honor 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.'' 



